Convertible Garment

Abstract

 An adaptable garment 1 having a body portion 2 and two limb portions 3, a first fixing mechanism 7 operably attached to the body portion 2 at or near the head/neck end 4 or the waist end 5 and a second fixing mechanism 8 attached to the two limb portions 3, the garment 1 moveable from a wearing configuration in which the garment 1 may be worn by a user, into a storage configuration in which the garment 1 may be used for storage.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns adaptable items of clothing, and more specifically items of clothing which may be converted from a garment into a carrying device, for instance a bag or satchel or the like.

[0002] In general, items of clothing which are usable only as an item of clothing and carrying arrangements suitable only for use as a carrying arrangement are well-known, and have been well-known for many years. Presently, items of clothing can be worn, tied around the body or carried (either about the body, such as in a hand) or carried in a carrying device such as a backpack if desired.

[0003] Additionally, carrying devices, even when not being used to carry an item, must be carried in the hand or on a shoulder. The same applies if such a carrying device is to be used at a later time. This can be inconvenient, particularly if the user wishes to socialise or partake in exercise prior to going shopping or any other activity in which an item may need to be carried. Alternatively, carrying devices in the form of plastic bags may be obtained at the time of shopping. These plastic bags are then often disposed of after the shopping has been transported to the desired location. This is environmentally unfriendly and wasteful.

[0004] There have been garments proposed which are adaptable to convert from a garment to a carrying arrangement, but previous attempts have been complex, requiring multiple fixing mechanisms and complicated methods to convert the garment from a wearable configuration into a carrying configuration. Such attempts are also not particularly aesthetically pleasing.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a garment which may be adapted to carry items or be worn as desired, with the conversion from wearable configuration into a carrying configuration being simple, and the garment remaining aesthetically pleasing in both configurations, that is environmentally friendly.

[0006] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides an adaptable garment, the garment having a body portion and two limb portions, the body portion defining a waist end and head/neck end, there being a waist aperture at the waist end to accommodate the waist of a wearer and a head/neck aperture at the head/neck end to accommodate the neck of a wearer, a first fixing mechanism operably attached to the body portion at or near the head/neck end or the waist end and a second fixing mechanism attached to the two limb portions, the second fixing mechanism formed of respective mating parts, with one mating part attached to or formed as part of one of the limb portions, and the second mating part mechanism attached to or formed as part of the other limb portion, and the garment is moveable from a wearing configuration in which the garment may be worn by a user, into a storage configuration in which the garment may be used for storage, wherein in the wearing configuration, the body portion of the garment is configured to cover the body of the user, with the user's head/neck accommodated by the open head/neck aperture, the user's waist accommodated by the open waist aperture, and the limb portions are configured such that they cover the limbs of the user, and in the second configuration, the body portion of the garment is secured with the first fixing mechanism, the first fixing mechanism substantially entirely closing at least one of the head/neck and waist apertures so as to define a storage compartment within the body portion and prevent objects within the body portion passing through the head/neck aperture or waist aperture, and the first and second parts of the second fixing mechanism are mated together so as to secure the two limb portions together and to define a handle which may be grasped by a user.

[0007] Preferably, when the first fixing mechanism is at or near the head/neck aperture, the storage compartment is accessible through the open waist aperture.

[0008] Alternatively, when the first fixing mechanism is at or near the waist aperture, the storage compartment is accessible through the open head/neck aperture.

[0009] Conveniently, where the first fixing mechanism is at or near the head/neck aperture, there is a further fixing mechanism at or near the waist aperture operable to substantially entirely close the waist aperture.

[0010] Alternatively, where the first fixing mechanism is at or near the waist aperture, there is a further fixing mechanism at or near the head/neck aperture operable to substantially entirely close the head/neck aperture.

[0011] Advantageously, when the first fixing mechanism is at or near the head/neck aperture, the waist aperture may also be closed by way of the first fixing mechanism.

[0012] Alternatively, when the first fixing mechanism is at or near the waist aperture, wherein the head/neck aperture may also be closed by way of the first fixing mechanism.

[0013] Preferably, the first fixing mechanism is also operable to close the body portion of the garment around the body of a wearer.

[0014] Conveniently, the garment further includes a third fixing mechanism, the third fixing mechanism configured to close the body portion of the garment around the body of a wearer.

[0015] Advantageously, the first fixing mechanism is a zipper.

[0016] Alternatively, the first fixing mechanism is a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0017] Alternatively, the first fixing mechanism is at least one popper fastener.

[0018] Advantageously, the third fixing mechanism is a zipper.

[0019] Alternatively, the third fixing mechanism is a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0020] Alternatively, the third fixing mechanism is at least one popper fastener.

[0021] Preferably, the second fixing mechanism is a clasp.

[0022] Alternatively, the second fixing mechanism is a button and buttonhole.

[0023] Alternatively, the second fixing mechanism is a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0024] Conveniently, the body portion further includes a hood portion.

[0025] Advantageously, the hood portion includes the head/neck aperture.

[0026] Preferably, the hood has an outer edge and the first fixing mechanism is affixed to the outer edge, operable to close the head/neck aperture in the hood.

[0027] Conveniently, the neck aperture is closeable by the first fixing mechanism, and the waist aperture is closeable by a third fixing mechanism.

[0028] Advantageously, the body portion of the garment may be opened and closed by way of a fourth fixing mechanism.

[0029] Preferably, the garment is a hooded sweatshirt.
Conveniently, the garment includes a further fixing mechanism formed of respective mating parts, with one mating part attached to or formed as part of the head/neck portion, and the second mating part mechanism attached to or formed as part of the waist portion.

[0030] Advantageously, the further fixing mechanism is at least one popper fastener.

[0031] Alternatively, the further fixing mechanism is a clasp.

[0032] Alternatively, the further fixing mechanism is a button and buttonhole.

[0033] Preferably, the garment further includes an access fixing to enable access to the storage compartment without unfastening the first fixing mechanism.

[0034] Conveniently, the access fixing is a zipper.

[0035] Alternatively, the access fixing is a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0036] Alternatively, the access fixing is at least one popper fastener.

[0037] Another aspect of the present invention provides adaptable garment, the garment having a body portion, hood portion and two arm portions, the body portion defining waist end and a head/neck end, there being a waist aperture at the waist end and a head/neck aperture at the head/neck end, a first fixing mechanism operably attached to the body portion to close the body portion around the body of a user, a second fixing mechanism operably attached to the two arm portions, the second fixing mechanism formed of respective mating parts, and a third fixing mechanism operably attached to the body and hood portions, the garment is moveable between a wearing configuration in which the garment may be worn by a user and a storage configuration in which the garment may be used for storage, wherein in the wearing configuration, the body portion of the garment is configured to cover the body of a user with the user's head and neck accommodated by the open head/neck aperture and hood, with the user's waist accommodated by the open waist aperture, the arm portions configured such that they cover the arms of the user, and the first fixing mechanism operable to close the body portion of the garment around the user, and in the second configuration, the waist and head/neck apertures are closeable by way of the third fixing mechanism, so as to define a storage compartment within the body portion and prevent objects within the body portion passing through the head/neck aperture or waist aperture, and the first and second parts of the second fixing mechanism are mated together so as to secure the arm portions together, defining a handle which may be grasped by a user.

[0038] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the figures, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows an example of an adaptable garment embodying the present invention in a first configuration;

FIGURE 2 shows an alternate view of an adaptable garment embodying the present invention in a first configuration;

FIGURE 3 shows an adaptable garment embodying the present invention in a second configuration;

FIGURE 4 shows an alternative view of the garment shown in Figure 3;

FIGURE 5 shows a further example of an adaptable garment embodying the present invention in a first configuration;

FIGURE 6 shows an adaptable garment embodying the present invention in a second configuration; and

FIGURE 7 shows a yet further example of an adaptable garment embodying the present invention in a first configuration.

[0039] Turning firstly to Figure 1, an adaptable garment 1 according to the present invention is shown in a first configuration.

[0040] The garment 1 includes a body portion 2 which is shaped to accommodate the torso of a wearer and limb portions 3 which in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 are shaped to accommodate the arms of a wearer. However, other embodiments of the present invention may be shaped to accommodate other limbs, such as the legs of a wearer, dependent upon the intended application of the garment.

[0041] Further, the garment 1 shown in Figure 1 includes a waist aperture 4 and a head/neck aperture 5, the waist aperture 4 configured to accommodate the waist of a user and the head/neck aperture 5 configured to accommodate the head/neck of a wearer. This is such that, in the first configuration, when the garment 1 is being worn, the waist of the wearer 4 would pass through the waist aperture 4 and the head and neck of the wearer would pass through the head/neck aperture 5.

[0042] The head/neck aperture 5 of the garment 1 may also include a hood as shown, although it is to be understood that other embodiments of the garment 1 may not include a hood. Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may include a plain head/neck aperture 5 or a head/neck aperture including other additional portions, for instance a collar or the like, dependent upon the style of garment 1 required.

[0043] The garment 1 also includes a closure mechanism 6 which may be used to close the garment around a wearer in the normal fashion. The closure mechanism 6 may reach all of the way from the edge of the waist aperture 4 to the head/neck aperture 5 as shown in Figure 1, and in some embodiments may also be operable to close the hood of the garment, if present.

[0044] It is to be understood, however, that some embodiments may not include such a closure mechanism, as the garment 1 may not have an opening at the front and may take the form of a jumper, sweater or the like, may be designed to fit over a different portion of the wearer's body, or may simply not include a closure mechanism 6.

[0045] The garment 1 includes a first fixing mechanism 7 and a second fixing mechanism 8. The first fixing mechanism, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, is operably attached to the body portion 2, and is configured such that it closes the waist and head/neck apertures 4, 5 along with the opening at the front of the garment 1.

[0046] As can be seen in more detail in Figure 2, the first fixing mechanism 7 runs alongside the closure mechanism 6, and is a zipper. The first fixing mechanism 7 of this embodiment, as mentioned above, is operable to close the waist and head/neck apertures 4, 5 and the opening at the front of the garment 1. However, in other embodiments, the first fixing mechanism may be in two parts and operable to close only the waist and head/neck apertures 4, 5 with the closure mechanism 6 operable to close the opening at the front of the garment 1.

[0047] Returning to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, closure of the first fixing mechanism 7 provides a compartment 10 within the body portion 2 of the garment 2 in which items may be stored. When the first fixing mechanism 8 is partially closed, the compartment 10 may be accessed by a user to place items therein. The first fixing mechanism 7 may then be completely closed, closing the compartment 10 and securing the items safely inside.

[0048] Closure of the first fixing mechanism 7 is the first step in the movement of the garment 1 from the first configuration (in which the garment 1 may be worn) into the second configuration (in which the garment 1 may be used as a carrying arrangement). It is to be understood that the type of first fixing mechanism 7 used will depend upon the application sought for the garment. A skilled person will appreciate that any suitable fixing method may be employed, and may include Velcro™, press-stud fittings, buttons or the like.

[0049] The second fixing mechanism 8 is a two-part fixing mechanism formed of respective mating parts, with one mating part attached to or formed as part of one of the limb portions 3 and the other mating part is attached to or formed as part of the other limb portion 3.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the second fixing mechanism 8 is a clip mechanism with a male clip on one of the limb portions 3 and a female clip on the other limb portion 3. It is, however, to be understood that any suitable fixing mechanism may be used, and will be dependent upon the intended use of the garment 1. For instance, the second fixing mechanism 8 may be a complementary button and button-hole, a popper fixing, a buckle or a simple tie.

[0051] In the first configuration, the mating parts forming the second fixing mechanism 8 are not attached to one another and therefore the limb portions 3 are not fixed together. However, in the second configuration, the mating parts forming the second fixing mechanism 8 are fixed together. Such a configuration is shown in Figure 3, with a close-up view of the closed second fixing mechanism 8 shown in Figure 4.

[0052] A two-part further fixing mechanism 20, shown in Figure 5, may also be included, with one part of the further fixing mechanism 20 being placed at or near the waist aperture 4 and the second part of the further fixing mechanism 20 being placed at or near the head/neck aperture 5.

[0053] The further fixing mechanism 20 may be used to improve the shape of the garment 1 when in the second configuration. In attaching the regions of the garment 1 at or near the waist and head/neck apertures 4, 5 together by way of the further fixing mechanism 20, the garment 1 becomes less elongate, and allows the shape of the compartment 10 to take a more usable shape. Closing the further fixing mechanism 20 also alters the shape of the garment 1 such that it is easier for a user to carry it, when in the second configuration.

[0054] Figure 6 shows the garment 1 in the second configuration with the further fixing mechanism 20 attached together.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the further fixing mechanism 20 is a two-part popper mechanism. It is, however, to be understood that any suitable fixing mechanism may be used, and will be dependent upon the intended use of the garment 1. For instance, the further fixing mechanism 20 may be a complementary button and button-hole, a two-part clip fixing, a buckle or a simple tie.

[0056] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the limb portions 3 form a handle 12 which may be grasped by a user to carry the garment 1. Alternatively, the handle 12 may be placed over the shoulder of a user to allow the garment 1 to be carried without needing to be grasped, in a similar fashion to a backpack or satchel.

[0057] When the garment 1 is in the second configuration and being carried by a user, the compartment 10 allows safe transport of items. The items may easily be removed from the compartment 10 by opening the first fixing mechanism 7 and the handle 12 may be undone by opening the second fixing mechanism 8.

[0058] As can be seen in Figure 7, the garment 1 may additionally include an access fixing 21 to allow a user to place items within, access, or remove items from the compartment 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the access fixing mechanism 21 is placed alongside the first fixing mechanism 7, and takes the form of a zipper. The access fixing mechanism 21 may be placed in any suitable location, and may, for instance, be used in place of a pocket in the garment 1. The location of the access fixing mechanism 21 will depend upon the style of the garment 1 and its intended use.

[0059] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the access fixing mechanism 21 is a zipper. It is, however, to be understood that any suitable fixing mechanism may be used, and will be dependent upon the intended use of the garment 1. For instance, the access fixing mechanism 21 may be a complementary button and button-hole, a series of popper fastenings, Velcro™ or the like.

[0060] When the items being carried have been removed from the compartment 10, the first fixing mechanism 7 may be opened completely, the further fixing mechanism 20 (if present) unfastened and the handle undone as described above. This then converts the garment 1 from the second configuration back into the first configuration.

[0061] Other embodiments of the garment 1 may be shaped to be worn on different parts of the body, and in some circumstances may take the shape of trousers, or an 'all-in-one' garment. In all embodiments, the general concept remains the same, with a body portion 2 shaped to fit around a part of a user's body when the garment 1 is in a first configuration. The body portion 2 may converted into a storage compartment 10 when the garment 1 is converted into a storage configuration. The compartment 10 may be closed by way of a fixing mechanism or combination of fixing mechanisms, and may, if an access fixing mechanism 21 is present, be accessed without opening the closure mechanism 6 or the first fixing mechanism 7.

[0062] In use, a user may be wearing the garment 1 shown in Figures 1-4 in the first configuration and need to carry an item. The user may remove the garment 1 by undoing the closure mechanism 6 and subsequently taking off the garment 1.

[0063] Once the garment 1 has been taken off, the garment may then be moved into the second configuration by first partially closing the first fixing mechanism 7. This defines an interior compartment 10 of the garment 1. The item may then be placed within the compartment, with the first fixing mechanism 7 then fully closed, retaining the item inside the compartment 10. Alternatively, if an access fixing mechanism 21 is included, first fixing mechanism 7 may be completely closed, and the item or items to be carried placed inside the compartment 10 later.

[0064] The second fixing mechanism 8 may be closed to provide a handle 12 for the user to grasp. Additionally, if present, the further fixing mechanism 20 may be closed.

[0065] If an access fixing mechanism 21 is included, the item or items to be carried may then be placed inside the compartment 10, and the item may then be carried to the desired destination.

[0066] When the item is to be removed from the garment 1, if the access fixing mechanism 21 is included, it may be opened and the item removed. If it is not present, the second fixing mechanism 8 may be opened and the limb portions 3 separated. Additionally, the further fixing mechanism 20 may be unfastened. If required, the first fixing mechanism 7 may then be opened to enable the item to be removed from the compartment 10, the item removed and the garment 1 returned to the first configuration.

[0067] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0068] The foregoing description has been given by way of example only and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptable garment, the garment having a body portion and two limb portions, the body portion defining a waist end and head/neck end, there being a waist aperture at the waist end to accommodate the waist of a wearer and a head/neck aperture at the head/neck end to accommodate the neck of a wearer;
a first fixing mechanism operably attached to the body portion at or near the head/neck end or the waist end and a second fixing mechanism attached to the two limb portions, the second fixing mechanism formed of respective mating parts, with one mating part attached to or formed as part of one of the limb portions, and the second mating part mechanism attached to or formed as part of the other limb portion; and
the garment is moveable from a wearing configuration in which the garment may be worn by a user, into a storage configuration in which the garment may be used for storage, wherein
in the wearing configuration, the body portion of the garment is configured to cover the body of the user, with the user's head/neck accommodated by the open head/neck aperture, the user's waist accommodated by the open waist aperture, and the limb portions are configured such that they cover the limbs of the user; and
in the second configuration, the body portion of the garment is secured with the first fixing mechanism, the first fixing mechanism substantially entirely closing at least one of the head/neck and waist apertures so as to define a storage compartment within the body portion and prevent objects within the body portion passing through the head/neck aperture or waist aperture, and the first and second parts of the second fixing mechanism are mated together so as to secure the two limb portions together and to define a handle which may be grasped by a user.

2. The garment of claim 1 where the first fixing mechanism is at or near the head/neck aperture, wherein there is a further fixing mechanism at or near the waist aperture operable to substantially entirely close the waist aperture.

3. The garment of claim 1 where the first fixing mechanism is at or near the waist aperture, wherein there is a further fixing mechanism at or near the head/neck aperture operable to substantially entirely close the head/neck aperture.

4. The garment of claim 2, when the first fixing mechanism is at or near the head/neck aperture, wherein the waist aperture may also be closed by way of the first fixing mechanism.

5. The garment of claim 3, when the first fixing mechanism is at or near the waist aperture, wherein the head/neck aperture may also be closed by way of the first fixing mechanism.

6. The garment of claims 4 and 5, wherein the first fixing mechanism is also operable to close the body portion of the garment around the body of a wearer.

7. The garment of any preceding claim wherein the garment further includes a third fixing mechanism, the third fixing mechanism configured to close the body portion of the garment around the body of a wearer.

8. The garment of any preceding claim wherein the first fixing mechanism is one of a zipper, a hook-and-loop fastener and at least one popper fastener.

9. The garment of any preceding claim wherein the second fixing mechanism is one of a clasp, a button and buttonhole and a hook-and-loop fastener.

10. The garment of any preceding claim wherein the body portion further includes a hood portion.

11. The garment of claim 10 wherein the hood portion includes the head/neck aperture.

12. The garment of claim 11 wherein the hood has an outer edge and the first fixing mechanism is affixed to the outer edge, operable to close the head/neck aperture in the hood.

13. The garment of any previous claim wherein the garment is a hooded sweatshirt.

14. The garment of any previous claim wherein the garment includes a further fixing mechanism formed of respective mating parts, with one mating part attached to or formed as part of the head/neck portion, and the second mating part mechanism attached to or formed as part of the waist portion.

15. The garment of any previous claim wherein the garment further includes an access fixing to enable access to the storage compartment without unfastening the first fixing mechanism.

Drawing