WO2008049090A2

WO2008049090A2 - Garment for selectively receiving interchangeable and reusable user customizable attachments

Info

Publication number: WO2008049090A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/081862
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jerry Gage; Daniel Fose
Original assignee: Accessorywear By Danjerous Fashions, Llc
Priority date: 2006-10-18
Filing date: 2007-10-18
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: US20080092265A1; WO2008049090A3

Abstract

The present invention includes a garment having a set of fasteners to selectively receive a decorative covering to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance.

Description

GARMENT FOR SELECTIVELY RECEIVING INTERCHANGEABLE AND REUSABLE USER CUSTOMIZABLE ATTACHMENTS

Field of Invention The present invention relates in general to the field of garments and, more particularly, to a garment for selectively receiving interchangeable and removable user customizable attachments altered to present a distinctive visual appearances.

Background Art

Most people, both adults and children, wear garments that are produced in bulk and sold in mass quantities and thus provide little consumer individuality, except as determined by designers. Individuality is important to people and is often exhibited through tattoos, piercing, hair colorings and so forth. Garments like pants, shorts and shirts have changed little over the past few years, except for minor changes in the lengths, textures, materials and features and given the volume of garments produced, it is difficult to impart individuality to the garments, e.g., everyone has jeans and a dress shirt.

Versatility of the garment offers another challenge for the consumer. In addition, a single garment may be used in different setting and combined with several different outfits to create a coordinated wardrobe. However, the garments remain mass produced and consumers are very limited with their styling options when purchasing a garment and any individualism results from the choice of colors, combinations, garment style or accessories, e.g., purses, shoes, cufflinks, watch, necklace, etc. In addition, purchasing multiple decorative garments can become cost prohibitive, e.g., the same shirt in every color.

For example, it is quite common for people to need two different types of garments, e.g., business and casual. A businessperson might be dressed up for the business environment and at some point during the day need to "dress down" for a different event, e.g., going to a casual meeting after work, a dinner or ball game where it is beneficial to wear a short sleeve shirt). Under these circumstances, the businessperson would need to have two different types of shirts available, one long sleeve shirt for work and one short sleeve shirt for play. The same is true for most garments, e.g., dress slacks and causal slacks, dress skirts and causal skirts, etc. The issue of convertible clothing has been addressed in the art to some extent. For example, United States Patent Application Publication number 20050198724 entitled "Interchangeable hemline for the hem of a garment" relates to the interchangeable hemline for changing the style of the hem of a garment. The decorative strip extends around the bottom hem of garment to extend the structural portion of the garment and alter the length of the garment.

United States Patent Number 4,215,435 entitled "Convertible Trousers" discloses a convertible trouser having a plurality of interchangeable leg portions that may be arranged in various configurations to produce a variable length, which may be altered to present several different visual appearances, variable length and appearance. The interchangeable leg portions are tubular and affix to the garment to actually extend the structure of the garment.

United States Patent Number 5,774,892 entitled "Convertible clothing" discloses trousers and a long sleeve shirt that convert to shorts and a short sleeve shirt, respectively. The trousers and shirt have lower leg portions and lower sleeve portions, which may be removed or attached to allow the clothing to convert from winter to summer clothing or vice versa by removing or attaching the sleeve or leg portions. Accessory pocket components for storing beepers, coins or other similar devices are removably attached to either of the seasonal pants or shirts as desired. However, these attachments are designed to alter the structure and function of the clothing by the addition or removal of structural materials, e.g., legs, sleeves and/or pockets.

Accordingly, there is a need for a garment that is attractive and provides the user with the ability to customize or individualize areas of the garment using interchangeable and removable attachments.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a garment that is attractive and provides customization, individualism and/or expression of moods, opinions, or commentary, while forming a distinctive visual appearance. For example, the garment includes a set of fasteners to engage selectively one or more decorative coverings that cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance. A variety of decorative coverings may be used with a single garment depending on the desired appearance. In general, the set of fasteners may be positioned along a seam of the garment, substantially parallel to a seam of the garment, substantially perpendicular to a seam of the garment, in a geometric pattern or a combination thereof. For example, pants may be worn to work in the morning and in the evening the pants may be receive a decorative covering of feathers for a stylish night out.

The present invention provides a garment having a first set of fasteners and one or more decorative coverings have a second set of fasteners to engage selectively two or more of the first set of fasteners. The one or more decorative coverings cover at least a portion of the garment to form a distinctive visual appearance.

The present invention provides a method of making a garment having one or more removable decorative coverings by attaching a first set of fasteners to a garment and a second set of fasteners to the one or more removable decorative coverings shaped to cover at least a portion of the garment. The second set of fasteners mates to the first set of fasteners to secure removably the one or more removable decorative coverings to at least a portion of the garment to form a distinctive visual appearance.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of various embodiments that are given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a front view of a garment worn by a consumer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIGURES 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E illustrate garments in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention;

FIGURES 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F and 3G illustrate garments in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a front view of a garment worn by a consumer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURES 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate garments in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention;

FIGURES 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, 6H and 61 illustrate various garments in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention; FIGURES 7A, 7B, 1C, 7D and 7E illustrate various garments in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGURES 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D and 8E illustrate various individual fasteners of the set of fasteners in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention. Description of the Invention

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. The discussion herein relates primarily to garments in general and may be any type of garment, made of any material and of any size.

To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as "a", "an" and "the" are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.

As used herein, the term "garment" refers to any article of clothing that covers a portion of a wearer of the garment, such as a shirt, blouse, dress, skirt, vest, sweater, t- shirt, sweatshirt, jumpsuit, t-shirt, tank top, slip, camisole, teddie, gown, pajama, romper, onesy, etc. In addition, the garment may include multiple layers of material to form an interior and exterior with material of similar or dissimilar materials. The garment may be made in part from a variety of materials, e.g., natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen, denim, hemp, silk and man made fibers such as nylon, viscose, acetate, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene elastomer, natural or synthetic leather, animal hide, natural or synthetic fur or feathers, beads, leaves and mixtures thereof. As used herein, the term "decorative covering" refers to any article that covers a portion of a garment. The decorative covering may be made in part from a variety of materials, e.g., natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, silk and man made fibers such as nylon, viscose, acetate, polyester, polyamide, denim, polypropylene elastomer, natural or synthetic leather, animal hide, natural or synthetic fur or feathers, leaves and mixtures thereof.

Now referring to FIGURE 1, a front view of a garment 100 worn by the consumer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The garment 100 is configured in a conventional manner to accommodate therein a human body, that of a man, women, child, or infant. In addition, the garment 100 may be adapted to fit various animals of various sizes and shapes. The garment 100 may be a shirt, pants, a top, shorts, jeans, a skirt, a dress shirt, a knit shirt, a T-shirt, a jacket, a blouse, a pullover, a warm-up suit top or bottom, jogging suit top, sweat suit top or bottom, a dress, a sport coat, a coat, a wind breaker, a snow suit, a ski outfit, a snowboard outfit, coveralls, a night gown, socks, hose, undergarments, overcoats, dance outfits, ballet outfits, costumes, sports outfits, etc. The garment 100 also includes accessories that include, but not limited too, shoes, ties, gloves, a scarf, an apron, overshoes, flip flops, bedroom shoes, watches, hats, etc. In addition, the garment 100 may be any item worn by an animal, e.g., pet boots, sweaters, coats, hats, horse bridals, horse blankets, collars and the like.

In one embodiment, the garment 100 is a shirt 102 that includes a front panel 104, which may or may not include buttons, a back panel (not shown), a collar 106 and two sleeves 108 and 110 located on the sides of the shirt 102 and attached to both the front panel 104 and the back panel (not shown). The garment 100 includes a set of fasteners 114 positioned to receive selectively the mating set of fasteners 116 on the decorative covering 112. The decorative covering 112 may take a variety of different shapes and forms that may mimic at least a portion of the shape of the garment 100, hang loosely about at least a portion of the garment 100, fit snugly to at least a portion the garment 100 or may be different from the garment 100 to create a unique style and/or combination. Generally, the garment may include one or more sets of fasteners positioned along a seam of the garment, substantially parallel to a seam of the garment, substantially perpendicular to a seam of the garment, in a geometric pattern or a combination thereof. In addition, the number of fasteners in a set of fasteners may depend on the garment and range from 2 to several dozen fasteners. The type of fastener may vary by location, position, function or desire.

Now referring to FIGURES 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, a garment 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention are shown. In FIGURE 2A, a front view of the garment 200 is shown, which is a shirt 202 and includes a front panel 204 that may or may not include a button, a back panel (not shown), a collar 206, and two sleeves 208 and 210 located on the sides of the shirt 202 and attached to both the front panel 204 and the back panel (not shown). The shirt 202 includes a set of fasteners 214 positioned to receive selectively a decorative covering (not shown). FIGURE 2B is a front view of a decorative covering 212 having a neck 218 and a sleeve 220. In addition, the decorative covering 212 includes a mating set of fasteners 216 positioned to mate to the corresponding set of fasteners (not shown) on the shirt (not shown).

FIGURE 2C is a front view of a shirt 202 engaging a decorative covering 212. The shirt 202 includes a front panel 204, a back panel (not shown), a collar 206, and two sleeves 208 and 210 located on the sides of the shirt 202 and attached to both the front panel 204 and the back panel (not shown). The shirt 202 includes the set of fasteners 214 positioned to receive selectively the decorative covering 212. The set of fasteners 214 align with the mating set of fasteners 216 to position the decorative covering 212 into the desired location. The neck 218 and sleeve 220 of the decorative covering 212 align with the neck 206 and sleeve 210 of the shirt 202, respectively to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance.

FIGURE 2D is a side view of a shirt 202 engaging a decorative covering 212. The shirt 202 includes a front panel 204, a back panel 222, a collar 206, and a first sleeve 210 and a second sleeve (not shown) located on the sides of the shirt 202 and attached to both the front panel 204 and the back panel 222. The shirt 202 includes a set of fasteners 214 positioned to receive selectively the decorative covering 212. The neck 218 and the sleeve 220 of the decorative covering 212 align with the neck 206 and the sleeve 210 of the shirt 202, respectively, to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance. FIGURE 2E is a back view of the shirt 202 engaging the decorative covering 212.

The shirt 202 includes a front panel (not shown), a back panel 222, a collar 206, and two sleeves 208 and 210 located on the sides of the shirt 202 and attached to both the front panel 204 and the back panel (not shown). The shirt 202 includes a set of fasteners 214 positioned to receive selectively a decorative covering 212. The set of fasteners 214 align with the mating set of fasteners 216 to position the decorative covering 212 and align the neck 218 and the sleeve 220 of the decorative covering 212 with the neck 206 and the sleeve 210 of the shirt 202 to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance.

FIGURES 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F and 3G illustrate a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIGURE 3A is a front view of a shirt 302 engaging a decorative covering 312. The shirt 302 includes a front panel 304, a back panel (not shown), a collar 306, and two sleeves 308 and 310 located on the sides of the shirt 302 and attached to both the front panel 304 and the back panel (not shown). The shirt 302 includes a set of fasteners 314 positioned to receive selectively the decorative covering 312. The set of fasteners 314 align with the mating set of fasteners 316 to position the decorative covering 312. The neck 318 and sleeves 320 of the decorative covering 312 align with the neck 306 and sleeves 308 and 310 of the shirt 302, to cover at least a portion of the garment 300 and form a distinctive visual appearance.

FIGURE 3B is a front view of a shirt 302 engaging a first decorative covering 312a and a second decorative covering 312b. The shirt 302 includes a front panel 304, a back panel (not shown), a collar 306 and two sleeves 308 and 310 located on the sides of the shirt 302 and attached to both the front panel 304 and the back panel (not shown). The shirt 302 includes a set of fasteners 314 positioned to receive selectively the first decorative covering 312a and the second decorative covering 312b. The set of fasteners 314 align with the mating set of fasteners 316 on the first decorative covering 312a and the second decorative covering 312b to position the first decorative covering and second decorative covering 312a and 312b into the desired position. The neck 318a and 318b and sleeves 320a and 320b of the decorative covering 312 align with the neck 306 and sleeves 308 and 310 of the shirt 302 to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance. In FIGURE 3B, the first and second decorative coverings 312a and 312b are materials of different texture, material, color and so-forth.

FIGURE 3 C is a front view of a shirt 302 engaging a decorative covering 312. The shirt 302 includes a front panel 304, a back panel (not shown), a collar 306, and two sleeves 308 and 310 located on the sides of the shirt 302 and attached to both the front panel 304 and the back panel (not shown). The shirt 302 includes a set of fasteners 314 positioned to receive selectively a decorative covering 312. The set of fasteners 314 align with the mating set of fasteners 316 to position the decorative covering 312 into the desired position. The neck 306 includes set of fasteners 316 to position the decorative covering 312 into the desired position to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance.

FIGURE 3D is a front view of a shirt 302 engaging a decorative covering 312. The shirt 302 includes a front panel 304, a back panel (not shown), a collar 306, and two sleeves 308 and 310 located on the sides of the shirt 302 and attached to both the front panel 304 and the back panel (not shown). The shirt 302 includes a set of fasteners 314 positioned to receive selectively the decorative covering 312. The set of fasteners 314 align with the mating set of fasteners 316 to position the decorative covering 312 to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance.

FIGURE 3E is a back view of a shirt 302 engaging a decorative covering 312. The shirt 302 includes a back panel 322, a front panel (not shown), a collar 306, and two sleeves 308 and 310 located on the sides of the shirt 302 and attached to both the front panel (not shown) and the back panel 322. The shirt 302 includes a set of fasteners 314 positioned to receive selectively a decorative covering 312. The set of fasteners 314 align with the mating set of fasteners 316 to position the decorative covering 312 to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance. FIGURE 3F is a front view of the shirt 302 engaging a first decorative covering

312a and a second decorative covering 312b. The shirt 302 includes a front panel 304, a back panel (not shown), a collar 306, and two sleeves 308 and 310 located on the sides of the shirt 302 and attached to both the front panel 304 and the back panel (not shown). The shirt 302 includes a set of fasteners 314 positioned to receive selectively the first decorative covering 312a and the second decorative covering 312b. The set of fasteners 314 align with the mating set of fasteners 316 to position the first and second decorative coverings 312a and 312b. The neck 318a and 318b and sleeves 320a and 320b of the decorative covering 312 align with the neck 306 and sleeves 308 and 310 of the shirt 302, respectively to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance. In FIGURE 3 F, the first and second decorative coverings 312a and 312b are from materials of different texture, material, color and so-forth.

FIGURE 3 G is a side view of a shirt 302 engaging a decorative covering 312. The shirt 302 includes a front panel 304, a back panel 322, a collar 306, and a first sleeve 310 and a second sleeve (not shown) located on the sides of the shirt 302 and attached to both the front panel 304 and the back panel 322. The shirt 302 includes one or more fasteners 314 positioned to receive selectively a decorative covering 312. The set of fasteners 314 align with the mating set of fasteners 316 to position the decorative covering 312 to cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance.

Now referring to FIGURE 4, a front view of a garment 400 worn by the consumer in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The garment 400 is a pair of pants 424 configured to accommodate therein the lower half of a human torso. The pair of pants 424 includes a front panel 404 and a pair of apertures that form the two legs 426 and 428 that are attached to the front panel 404 and extend around to the back panel (not shown). The two legs 426 and 428 are dimensioned to accommodate a pair of human legs. The pair of pants 424 may optionally include buttons, zippers, one or more pockets, a set of belt loops, suspender attachments or a combination thereof on the front panel 404, the back panel (not shown), the two legs 426 and 428 or a combination thereof. The pair of pants 424 includes a set of fasteners 414 positioned to receive selectively a mating set of fasteners 416 on the decorative coverings 412a and 412b. FIGURE 4 illustrates a different pattern for each set of fasteners 414 positioned on the two legs 426 and 428. The first leg 426 includes a set of fasteners extending along the outer edge of the first leg 426. The decorative covering 412a attaches to the set of fasteners 416 on the first leg 426 and extends around the first leg 426. The second leg 428 includes a set of fasteners extending along the outer edge 430 and the inner edge 432 of the second leg 428. The decorative covering 412b attaches to the set of fasteners 416 on the second leg 426 and extends from the outer edge 430 and the inner edge 432 of the second leg 428. The decorative coverings 412a and 412b may take a variety of different shapes and forms that may mimic the shape of the garment 100, hang loosely about the garment 100, fit snugly to the garment 100 or may be different from the garment 100 to create a unique style and/or combination.

Now referring to FIGURES 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D a garment 500 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention are shown. FIGURE 5 A is a front view of the garment 500 and illustration of a pair of pants 502. The pair of pants 502 includes a front panel 504 which may or may not include buttons, a back panel (not shown), two legs 526 and 528 that are attached to the front panel 504 and extend around to the back panel (not shown) to form a pair of apertures that fit the legs of a consumer (not shown). The pair of pants 502 includes a set of fasteners 514 positioned to receive selectively a decorative covering (not shown). The set of fasteners 514 align with the mating set of fasteners (not shown) to position the decorative covering (not shown) to cover at least a portion of the pair of pants 502 and form a distinctive visual appearance.

FIGURE 5 B is a front view of a decorative covering 512 having a leg covering portion 530. In addition, decorative covering 512 includes a mating set of fasteners 516 positioned to mate to the corresponding set of fasteners (not shown) on the pair of pants (not shown).

FIGURE 5 C is a front view of the pair of pants 502 engaging the decorative covering 512. The pair of pants 502 includes a front panel 504, a back panel (not (not shown), two legs 526 and 528 that are attached to the front panel 504 and extend around to the back panel (not shown) to form a pair of apertures that fit the legs of a consumer (not shown). The pair of pants 502 includes a set of fasteners 514 positioned to receive selectively a decorative covering 512. The set of fasteners 514 align with the mating set of fasteners 516 to position the decorative covering 512 into the desired position to cover at least a portion of the pair of pants 502 and form a distinctive visual appearance.

FIGURE 5D is a side view of a pair of pants 502 engaging a decorative covering 512. The pair of pants 502 includes a front panel 504, a back panel 522, a first leg 526 and a second leg (not shown) that are attached to the front panel 504 and extend around to the back panel 522 to form a pair of apertures that fit the legs of a consumer (not shown). The pair of pants 502 includes a set of fasteners 514 positioned to receive selectively a decorative covering 512. The set of fasteners 514 align with the mating set of fasteners 516 to position the decorative covering 512 to cover at least a portion of the pair of pants 502 and form a distinctive visual appearance. FIGURES 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, 6H and 61 illustrate various garments in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention. FIGURE 6A is a front view illustrating a pair of pants 602 having two legs 626 and 628 attached to the front panel 604 and extending around to the back panel (not shown). The pair of pants 602 includes a set of fasteners 614 extending down the middle of the leg 626 and a set of fasteners 614 extending down the seams of the leg 628. A decorative covering (e.g., feathers, beads, etc. (not shown)) may be positioned to cover at least a portion of the garment 602.

FIGURE 6B is a front view illustrating a pair of shorts 602 having two legs 626 and 628 attached to the front panel 604 and extending around to the back panel (not shown). The pair of shorts 602 includes a set of fasteners 614 extending about the outer seam of the leg 626 and a set of fasteners 614 extending between the outer seam and the inner seam of the leg 628.

FIGURE 6C is a front view illustrating a pair of ³A length pants or long shorts 602 having two legs 626 and 628 attached to the front panel 604 and extending around to the back panel (not shown). The pair of ³A length pants 602 includes a set of fasteners 614 extending down the outer seam of leg 626 and leg 628.

FIGURE 6D is a back view illustrating a pair of pants 602 having two legs 626 and 628 attached to the back panel 622 and extending around to the front panel (not shown). The pair of pants 602 includes a set of fasteners 614 extending down the middle of the leg 626 and a set of fasteners 614 extending down the seams of the leg 628. For example, the decorative covering (e.g., feathers, beads, etc. (not shown)) may be positioned to extend from the set of fasteners 614 extending down the middle of the leg 626 around the seam (outer, inner or both) to a second set of fasteners (not shown) on the backside of the leg 626 or back to the set of fasteners 614 extending down the middle of the leg 626.

FIGURE 6E is a front view illustrating a pair of pants 602 having two legs 626 and 628 attached to the front panel 604 and extending around to the back panel (not shown). The pair of pants 602 includes a set of fasteners 614 extending about the inner seam, the outer seam and between the inner and outer seam of the leg 626 and a multiple set of fasteners 614 extending between the inner and outer seam of the leg 628.

FIGURE 6F is a front view illustrating a skirt 632 having a front panel 604 that extends around to the back panel 622. The skirt 632 includes a set of fasteners 614 extending about the front panel 604 and/or the back panel 622. FIGURE 6G is a front view illustrating a skirt 632 having a front panel 604 that extends around to the back panel (not shown). The skirt 632 includes a set of fasteners 614 extending about edges of the front panel 604 and/or the back panel 622.

FIGURE 6H is a front view illustrating a dress 634 having a front panel 604 which may or may not include buttons, a back panel (not shown), a neck 606, and two sleeves 636 and 638 located on the sides of the dress 634 and attached to both the front panel 604 and the back panel (not shown). The dress 634 includes a lower panel 640 that extends around to the back panel (not shown). The dress 634 includes one or more set of fasteners 614 positioned about the dress 634. In the depicted embodiment, a decorative sleeve 642 is positioned about the sleeve 636 of the dress 634 by a set of fasteners 614. The dress 634 includes one or more set of fasteners 614 positioned about the neck 606 to receive a decorative collar 644. The dress 634 also includes a decorative skirt 646 positioned about the lower panel 640 by one or more set of fasteners 614. The decorative sleeve 642, decorative collar 644, and/or decorative skirt 646 may take a variety of different shapes and forms that may mimic the shape of the dress 634, hang loosely about the dress 634, fit snugly to the dress 634 or may be different from the dress 634 to create a unique style and/or combination.

FIGURE 61 is a front view illustrating a tank top 602 having two arm holes 626 and 628 about the front panel 604 and the back panel (not shown). The tank top 602 includes a set of fasteners 614 extending about the outer edges of the tank top 602. The set of fasteners 614 allow the attachment of accessories (not shown), sleeves (not shown) and hood (not shown) or a combination thereof about the two arm holes 626 and 628 and/or the front panel 604. The multiple sets of fasteners allow numerous configurations for attaching decorative covering to garments. The decorative covering may be positioned on the front, the back or both. In addition, the decorative covering may cover a portion of the garment, substantially all of the garment or be used to position wire, beads, flowers, symbols through connecting the fasteners. A garment may have numerous fasteners; however, it is not necessary to use each decorative covering as an attachment point.

FIGURES 7 A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E illustrate various garments in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention. FIGURE 7A is a front view illustrating a glove 748 having a set of fasteners 714 extending about the center and open end of the glove 748. FIGURE 7B is a view illustrating a flip-flop 750 having a set of fasteners 714 extending about the strap of the flip-flop 750. FIGURE 7C is a view illustrating a boot 752 having a set of fasteners 714 extending about the side and edge of the boot 752. FIGURE 7D is a side view illustrating a hat 754 having a set of fasteners 714 extending about the side of the hat 754. FIGURE 7E is a side view illustrating a dog jacket 756 having a set of fasteners 714 extending about the side and edge of the dog jacket 756. In addition to the dog jacket 756, the present invention may be applied to any garment that may be worn by an animal, e.g., animal boots, animal sweeter, animal hats, animal costumes, animal collars and the like.

The set of fasteners may be used to attach a decorative covering to a garment in a fashion that can be non-destructive and interchangeable. The set of fasteners include many types of securing mechanisms known to the skilled artisan, e.g. a hook and/or loop of a hook and loop fastener system, fasteners, buttons, hooks, catches, snaps, latches, buckles, loops, ties, clamps, connectors, couplers, links, bands, zippers, releasable adhesive, and/or any other releasable mechanism for attachment. The set of fasteners may include any number of fasteners desired and be positioned at virtually any position on a garment. The set of fasteners may be positioned on the inside of the garment, the outside of the garment or both. In addition, the set of fasteners may or may not be positioned uniformly, randomly and/or symmetrically on the garment. For example, FIGURES 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D and 8E illustrate various individual fasteners of the set of fasteners in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention.

FIGURE 8 A is a side view of an individual fastener 814 of the set of fasteners (not shown). The fastener 814 includes a pin 858 positioned about a first material 860 that mates to a receiving fitting 862 positioned about a second material 864 to connect removably the first material 860 and second material 864. The pin 858 penetrates the receiving fitting 862 and secures frictionally the fastener 814. The pin 858 may include a wide region (not shown); the receiving fitting 862 may include a narrow region (not shown) or both in order to secure frictionally the fastener 814. FIGURE 8B is a view of an individual fastener of the set of fasteners (not shown).

The fastener includes a button 866 attached to a first material 860, that mates to a receiving aperture 868 positioned about a second material 864 to connect removably the first material 860 and second material 864. The button 866 penetrates the receiving aperture 868 and secures frictionally the fastener 814. FIGURE 8C is a view of an individual fastener of the set of fasteners (not shown).

The fastener includes a hook material 870 positioned about a first material 860, that mates to a loop material 872 positioned about a second material 864 to connect removably the first material 860 and second material 864. The contact of the hook material 870 and the loop material 872 create a friction fit that secures the hook material 870 to the loop material 872.

FIGURE 8D is a view of an individual fastener of the set of fasteners (not shown).

The fastener includes a tape material 874 positioned about a first material 860 that mates to a second material 864 to connect removably the first material 860 and second material 864.

FIGURE 8E is a side view of an individual fastener of the set of fasteners (not shown). The fastener includes a magnetic tab 876 positioned about a first material 860 that mates to a receiving tab 878 positioned about a second material 864. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic tab 876 and receiving tab 878 connect removably the first material 860 and second material 864.

FIGURE 8F is a side view of an individual fastener of the set of fasteners (not shown). The fastener includes a first hook 880 positioned about a first material 860 that mates to a second hook 882 positioned about a second material 864. The first hook 880 and the second hook 882 interact to form a friction fitting to secure removably the first material 860 and second material 864. FIGURE 8G is a side view of an individual fastener of the set of fasteners (not shown). The fastener includes a pin 858 positioned about a first material 860, that mates to a receiving fitting 862 positioned about a second material 864 to connect removably the first material 860 and second material 864. A magnetic tab 884 is positioned about a third material 886 that mates to the receiving fitting 862 positioned about the second material 864 to secure the third material 886 and the second material 864 by the magnetic attraction between the magnetic tab 884 and receiving fitting 862. Thus, multiple layers of decorative coverings may be secured using a single fastener.

FIGURE 8H is a side view of an individual fastener of the set of fasteners (not shown). The fastener includes a pin 858 positioned about a first material 860, that mates to a receiving fitting 862 positioned about a second material 864 to connect removably the first material 860 and second material 864. A second receiving fitting 888 is positioned about a third material 886 that mates to the pin 858 to secure the first material 860, the second material 864 and the third material 886. In addition, the receiving fitting 862 that attaches to the pin 858 may be a double sided fitting to allow the connection of a second fastener to connect multiple layers of decorative coverings by using the a single fastener.

The garment 100 may be any item worn by a human. The garment may be made and sized for men, women, children of various ages or midgets. The garment may be a shirt, dress shirt, T-shirt, jacket, blouse, pullover, warm-up suit top, jogging suit top, sweat suit top, dress, sport coat, coat, etc. In addition, the garment may be made and sized for any animal and any age animal, e.g., pet boots, sweaters, coats, hats, horse bridals, horse blankets, collars and the like. The decorative covering 212 may be any item that in-part covers a garment and may be of any shape, thickness, material, size or the like.

In addition, the present invention includes fastener coverings that engage the fasteners of the set of fasteners that are not in use. The fastener coverings may be decorative fastener coverings that include decorative and functional items attached to the decorative fastener covering. For example, a decorative fastener covering having a set of feathers attached can be attached to the fastener of a garment to add a feathered look to portions of the garment. In addition, the decorative fastener covering itself may be decorated with designs, materials, sequins, stones, metals, ribbons and so forth to provide a customizable look.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification, but only by the claims.

Claims

1. An interchangeable user customizable garment comprising: a garment having a set of fasteners to selectively receive one or more decorative coverings that cover at least a portion of the garment and form a distinctive visual appearance.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the set of fasteners comprise hooks, loops, buttons, catches, snaps, latches, buckles, loops, ties, clamps, connectors, couplers, links, bands, zippers, releasable adhesives or a combination thereof.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the set of fasteners are positioned along a seam of the garment, substantially parallel to a seam of the garment, substantially perpendicular to a seam of the garment, in a geometric pattern or a combination thereof.

4. The garment of claim 1, further comprising one or more decorative designs on the garment, the one or more decorative coverings or both.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a shirt, a blouse, a dress, pants, a coat, a jacket, a hat, gloves, a skirt, shorts, a vest, a sweater, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a jumpsuit, a tank top, a slip, a camisole, a teddie, an undergarment, a gown, pajamas, a romper, a onesy, a pullover, a warm-up suit, a jogging suit, a sweat suit or a combination thereof.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises one or more natural fibers, man made fibers, leather, cotton, denim, wool, linen, hemp, silk, nylon, viscose, acetate, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene elastomer, leather, animal hide, fur, feathers, leafs or a combination thereof.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more decorative coverings comprise one or more natural fibers, man made fibers, leather, cotton, denim, wool, linen, hemp, silk, nylon, viscose, acetate, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene elastomer, animal hide, plastic, glass, polymers, metals, stones or a combination thereof.

8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more decorative coverings comprise leather, fur, feathers, leafs, beads, chains, tassels, fringe, fastener coverings, lace, garland, swag, metal, stones, sequins or combinations thereof.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more decorative coverings are attached to at least two fasteners of the set of fasteners to cover at least a portion of the garment.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment accommodates a human or an animal.

11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment and the one or more decorative coverings comprise the same type of material.

12. A garment comprising: a garment having a first set of fasteners; and one or more decorative coverings having a second set of fasteners to selectively engage two or more first set of fasteners, wherein the one or more decorative coverings covers at least a portion of the garment to form a distinctive visual appearance.

13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the set of fasteners comprise hooks, loops, buttons, catches, snaps, latches, buckles, loops, ties, clamps, connectors, couplers, links, bands, zippers, releasable adhesives or a combination thereof

14. The garment of claim 12, further comprising one or more decorative designs on the garment, the decorative covering or both.

15. The garment of claim 12, wherein the garment comprises a shirt, a blouse, a dress, pants, a coat, a jacket, a hat, gloves, a skirt, shorts, a vest, a sweater, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a jumpsuit, a tank top, a slip, a camisole, a teddie, an undergarment, a gown, pajamas, a romper, a onesy, a pullover, a warm-up suit, a jogging suit, a sweat suit or a combination thereof.

16. The garment of claim 12, wherein the garment comprises one or more natural fibers, man made fibers, leather, cotton, denim, wool, linen, hemp, silk, nylon, viscose, acetate, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene elastomer, leather, animal hide, fur, feathers, leafs or a combination thereof.

17. The garment of claim 12, wherein the one or more decorative coverings comprise one or more natural fibers, man made fibers, leather, cotton, denim, wool, linen, hemp, silk, nylon, viscose, acetate, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene elastomer, leather, animal hide, fur, feathers, leafs or a combination thereof.

18. The garment of claim 12, wherein the one or more decorative coverings comprise leather, fur, feathers, leafs, beads, chains, tassels, fringe, fastener coverings, lace, garland, swag, metal, stones, sequins or combinations thereof.

19. A method of making a garment having one or more removable decorative coverings comprising the steps of: attaching a first set of fasteners to a garment; and attaching a second set of fasteners to a decorative coverings shaped to cover at least a portion of the garment, wherein the second set of fasteners mate to two or more fasteners of the first set of fasteners to secure removably the one or more removable decorative coverings to at least a portion of the garment to form a distinctive visual appearance.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the set of fasteners comprise hooks, loops, buttons, catches, snaps, latches, buckles, loops, ties, clamps, connectors, couplers, links, bands, zippers, releasable adhesives or a combination thereof.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the garment comprises a shirt, a blouse, a dress, pants, a coat, a jacket, a hat, gloves, a skirt, shorts, a vest, a sweater, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a jumpsuit, a tank top, a slip, a camisole, a teddie, an undergarment, a gown, pajamas, a romper, a onesy, a pullover, a warm-up suit, a jogging suit or a sweat suit.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the garment comprises one or more natural fibers, man made fibers, leather, cotton, denim, wool, linen, hemp, silk, nylon, viscose, acetate, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene elastomer, leather, animal hide, fur, feathers, leafs or a combination thereof.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more removable decorative coverings comprise one or more natural fibers, man made fibers, leather, cotton, denim, wool, linen, hemp, silk, nylon, viscose, acetate, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene elastomer, leather, animal hide, fur, feathers, leafs or a combination thereof.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more decorative coverings comprise leather, fur, feathers, leafs, beads, chains, tassels, fringe, fastener coverings, lace, garland, swag, metal, stones, sequins or combinations thereof.