WO2008150183A1

WO2008150183A1 - Improvements in or relating to infant attire

Info

Publication number: WO2008150183A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2008/000132
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amelia Ann Bristed Nilsson; Bridie Jane Zaloum
Original assignee: Amie Design Limited
Priority date: 2007-06-06
Filing date: 2008-06-06
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Also published as: NZ555691A

Abstract

The invention is for a modular infant clothing assembly. The assembly has a main garment, with at least one panel defining a sack that includes an anterior and posterior side into which at least the torso of an infant can be located. At the junction of the anterior and posterior sides, there is first aperture for a head of the infant to protrude through, and a pair of second apertures though which arms of the infant can protrude through. A portion of at least one side is openable to allow the infant to be received inside the main garment. There are also attachments for the main garment selected from any one of more of, a sleeve or sleeves, a mitten or glove for a sleeve or sleeves, a main garment extension, and a piece of headwear.

Description

"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO INFANT ATTIRE"

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to infant attire and in particular infant attire that is modular.

BACKGROUND

There are many forms of clothing for an infant. A simple piece of clothing is a one-piece suit, often referred to as a "stretch and grow". Other forms of well- known infant clothing are smaller versions of adult clothes. More recently sleeping bags that have an adapted form for around the shoulders and neck of the infant were used to clothe the infant. These "sleeping sacks" or bags find favour because they keep the infant warm yet give the infant greater freedom of movement. Changing the diaper or nappy of the infant is easier with these sleeping bags also. However, one problem posed with these bags is that they do not easily allow strapping of the infant into a child seat. This is because the straps of the seat cannot easily pass between the infants legs without bunching and gathering of the sleeping bag. This is because the sleeping bag does not follow the contour of the infant's lower body but rather forms a single enclosure encompassing their lower body. This is a problem not faced when using more traditional clothing, for example pants.

Sleeping bag-type infant clothes are also not ideal for use in clothing an infant when there are variations in temperatures. Either the infant must have extra clothes added or removed for a sleeping bag of a set warmth or weight, or different weight or warmth bags must be bought for different temperatures. For example a lighter weight bag for summer temperatures and a heavier weight bag for winter temperatures.

A further problem with infant clothing is keeping track of all the parts of the clothing so putting them on, or removing them from, the infant is easy and without the fear of losing the parts. In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved infant attire that goes some way to overcoming the problems of the prior art, or at least goes some way to meeting the above desiderata or that at least goes some way to providing the public with a useful choice.

In a first aspect the present invention broadly consists in a modular infant clothing assembly, comprising or including, a main garment, having at least one panel defining a sack that includes an anterior and posterior side into which at least the torso of an infant can be located, said sack, at the junction of said anterior and posterior sides, providing:

(i) a first aperture for a head of said infant to protrude through, and

(ii) a pair of second apertures though each of which an arm of said infant can protrude through, at least a portion of at least one said side is selectively openable to allow at least part of the body of said infant can pass to be received inside the main garment, yet allow for the arms and head of the infant to protrude through a respective aperture, attachments for said main garment selected from any one of more of, a sleeve, or sleeves, one each removeably attachable at least in part around each of said second apertures, a mitten or glove for a sleeve or sleeves, removeably attachable to a hand end of each of said sleeve or sleeves, a main garment extension, removeably attachable to a lower portion of said main garment, a piece of headwear, removeably attachable at least in part around said first aperture.

Preferably said main garment includes a lapped or lapping labyrinth opening through said anterior side and a said labyrinth opening through said posterior side so that at least a child safety restraint can be passed through the main garment via said labyrinth opening(s).

Preferably said labyrinth opening is formed from at least two planar members that overlap defining a labyrinth therethrough.

Preferably said two planar members are rectangular in plan form and have their major axes parallel to each other.

Alternatively said two planar members are curved in plan form, at least at their respective peripheries and have their major axes parallel to each other.

Alternatively said two planar members are a truncated circle, e.g. a circle with a sector removed, in plan form and have their centres collinear to each other. Preferably said overlap is of at least one planar member lapping over halfway across the body of the other planar member.

Preferably said overlap is of each planar member lapping over halfway across the body of the other planar member.

Preferably at least one of said planar members is an at least in part elastic planar member.

Preferably at least one of said planar members is elastic over at least the entire region of said planar member that forms at least said overlap.

Preferably at least one region between one of said second pair of apertures and said first aperture is a selectively releasable region. Preferably at least part of said posterior side extends as a return flap that folds over and forms at least part of said head aperture on said anterior side.

Preferably a distal portion of said return flap releasably secures to a side of said sack opposite to that from which it extends.

Preferably said return flap releasably secures to an interior portion of either said anterior or posterior portion. - A -

Alternatively said return flap releasably secures to an exterior portion of either said anterior or posterior portion.

Preferably said return flap is releasably securable part way along its length to a side of said anterior portion that it folds over. Preferably said releasable securement is a hook and loop securement, such as that sold under the trade mark Velcro™.

Preferably said labyrinth opening is a vertically oriented slot.

Preferably said labyrinth opening is a horizontally oriented slot.

Preferably said labyrinth opening is an arcuate shaped slot. Preferably said piece of headwear can also function as an enclosure to contain all or part of said infant clothing assembly.

Preferably said child safety restraint can be passed through said main garment without further access being required to the interior of the main garment.

Preferably said infant attire is manufactured substantially from merino fibres. Preferably said attachments are attached to said main garment or each other by releasably detachable means.

Preferably said sleeves are attached by zips to said main garment.

Preferably said piece of head wear is attached by a plurality of domes and/or a zip to said main garment. Preferably a part of said portion of at least one said side is selectively openable and closable by at least one zip.

Preferably said at least one zip on said main garment closes at least part of a side of said main garment and a bottom of said main garment.

Preferably said main garment portion is in the form of a hollow sack, closed on three sides and open towards a top side.

Preferably one of said three sides of said main garment extension is selectively openable.

Preferably said main garment extension allows the main garment size to be increased to allow for growth in the infant. Preferably said main garment extension has an anterior panel and a posterior panel, both to attach to and extend the anterior and posterior panel of said main garment.

Preferably said attachment to said main garment is along the top side of said main garment extension to said bottom of said main garment.

Preferably that side of said main garment extension that is selectively openable is the same side of said main garment that is selectively openable.

Preferably the bottom of said main garment extension is also selectively openable. Preferably said main garment extension includes a said labyrinth opening on a posterior and an anterior side of said main garment extension.

Preferably said labyrinth opening on said anterior side is located higher than diat on said posterior side.

Preferably said main garment extension is selectively attachable to said main garment by a zip or zips.

Preferably an end portion of said sleeve has an external fold over a part of a periphery of an end of said sleeve.

Preferably said external fold can be manipulated to fold over said end of said sleeve to the remainder of said sleeve end periphery and in doing so blanks off said end of said sleeve.

Preferably said end of said sleeve has an additional outer layer that extends to at least in part cover said end of said sleeve.

Preferably the size of said second pair of apertures can be reduced by closing off at least part of the apertures by use of a releasable securement Preferably at least the main garment is available in a range of sizes.

Preferably said attachments are available in a range of sizes.

Preferably said headwear has an internal pocket to receive at least some of said attachments to store said at least some attachments.

Preferably said internal pocket has an opening directed towards a neck aperture of said headwear where said headwear attaches to said neck aperture. Preferably when a main garment extension is present, there is no labyrinth opening in said main garment.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a modular infant clothing assembly, comprising or including, a main garment, of a front panel and a back panel joined together at least on one part of their periphery to provide

(i) a head aperture toward an upper part of said main garment, and

(ii) a pair of arm apertures each towards a side of said main garment, at least a portion of at least one said side is selectively openable to receive and substantially cover a body of said infant in use inside said main garment, save for the arms and head of said infant, and attachments to said main garment selected from any one of more of, a sleeve, or sleeves, one each removeably attachable at least in part around each of said second apertures, a mitten or glove for a sleeve or sleeves, removeably attachable to a hand end of each of said sleeve or sleeves, a main garment extension, removeably attachable to a lower portion of said main garment, a piece of headwear, removeably attachable to at least in part around said first aperture, wherein said main garment includes a lapped or lapping labyrinth opening through said front panel and a labyrinth opening through said back panel so that at least a child safety restraint can be passed through the main garment via said labyrinth opening(s). In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in an infant garment or garments as herein described with reference to any one of more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in an attachment as herein described for an infant garment as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. In yet another preferred aspect the present invention consists in a method of using a modular infant clothing assembly as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. As used herein the term "(s)" following a noun includes, as might be appropriate, the singular or plural forms of that noun.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification means 'consisting at least in part of, that is to say when interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Preferred embodiments of the current invention are shown in the accompanying figures, whereby:

Figure IA shows a main body garment of the present invention clothing assembly in plan view showing the front of the main garment, and showing in dotted lines the outline of an infant in the garment, with arms passing out each of the second pair of apertures and head passing out the first aperture,

Figure IB shows the garment of Figure IA partially opened to reveal some interior detail, and the labyrinth opening in the front of the main garment partially opened to allow passage of a child safety restraint belt,

Figure 2A shows the main garment of Figure IA with the removeably attachable sleeves attached,

Figure 2B shows a similar view to that of Figure 2A with one sleeve attachment removed from the main garment, and the labyrinth opening in the front of the main garment partially opened, Figure 3 shows the main garment of Figure IA unfolded to show the front and back panels and upper body return flap,

Figure 4A shows an garment extension to the main garment, and Figure 4B shows that garment extension attached to the main garment, Figure 4C shows a folded open garment extension,

Figure 5 shows the main garment in Figure IA with the hood as a piece of headwear and sleeves attached,

Figure 6 shows an alternate version of the labyrinth opening at (A) from the front showing the overlap of two planar members of material, (B) the outermost of the two partially opened, (C) both the inner and outer planar members of the labyrinth opening opened to allow passing therethrough of either of the user's hand or another member such as a child safety restraint belt or similar, and (D) shows the reverse inside side of the labyrinth opening showing optionally attached elastic means, Figure 7 shows an alternate version of the labyrinth opening at (A) from the front showing two overlapping semicircular layers, and (B) from the inside of the labyrinth opening showing a greater overlap of one layer of material of the labyrinth opening,

Figure 8 shows the labyrinth opening at (A) in a partially opened condition to allow access therethrough of the user's hand or to allow passage therethrough of a child safety restraint belt or similar restraint, and (B) shows the interior view of Figure 7B when opened to allow passage therethrough,

Figure 9 shows a shadow detail of the hand end of a sleeve attachment, Figure 10 shows in side view a hood for attachment to the upper portion of the main garment,

Figure U shows the sleeve attachment in side view, Figure 12 shows at (A) an alternative main garment embodiment with the labyrinth opening of Figure 6 on the front and back of the main garment, and at (B) the upper portion of the main garment partially open, and at (C) the lower portion of the main garment opened to show in the interior, Figure 13 shows the sleeve detail of Figure 9 with (A) the outside cuff removed to show the interior cuff detail of an exterior fold, (B) the exterior fold initiating stretching, at (C) the inversion of the fold to fit round and cover the opening of the sleeve and pass over to the other side of the sleeve as shown at (D) and then shown in (E)the reverse side of the sleeve showing the fold having covered over the aperture of the sleeve outlet at the hand end to blank off the sleeve aperture forming a mitten, thereafter the external casing of the sleeve end as shown in Figure 9 is passed back over the closed sleeve end, and

Figure 14A shows in perspective view a sleeve and main garment located within a head wear piece to act as an enclosure for the clothing assembly, and (B) a front view of the same showing the pocket in the headwear that attachments can be put into, both just prior to the optional drawstrings of the headwear piece being drawn to enclose the clothing assembly therein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 through 14.

In the embodiments shown in Figure 3 the clothing assembly 1 consists of a main garment 3 that is made up of a single folded panel 5. In other embodiments the panel may consist of numerous panels, for example 5A, 5B and 5C being three panels stitched together to form one larger panel 5. The panel 5 or panels are made from material such as fabric.

The main garment 3 shown in Figure IB has an anterior side or front panel 7 having an inside facing towards the inner part of the sack and an outside facing towards the outer part of the main garment 3. There is also a posterior side or back panel 9 again having an inside facing towards the inside of the main garment 3 and an outside facing towards the outside of the main garment 3.

Around the junction 13 or periphery of the main garment there is a join, shown in Figure IB (where there are panels 5A, 5B and 5C comprising the panel 5) or a fold (where folded panel 5 consists of one single panel of material). A portion of at least one side 61 of the side 15 is able to be opened and is able to be closed by a zip. Arranged around the upper junction or periphery 13 of the main garment 3 there is a first aperture 17 that acts as a head aperture for an infant 2 when located in the main garment 3. Either side of the head aperture 17 are second apertures 19 that act as apertures for the arms of the infant 2 when located in the main garment 3. These apertures may be partially or fully formed when the garment is laid out flat as shown, for example, in Figure 3, or may only form when the main garment 3 is secured around an infant.

A further aperture is present on the garment, shown in Figure 3, as a labyrinth opening 31. The labyrinth opening 31 is present on the front panel or anterior side 7 and communicates through to the inside or interior of the main garment 3. There is also a labyrinth opening 31 on the back panel or posterior side 9 that communicates from the outside of the posterior side or back panel 9 through to the interior of the posterior side, i.e. the interior of the main garment 3. The use of such labyrinth openings will become apparent shortly. The difference in height, up the front panel 7 and back panel 9, will be explained shortly also.

In a preferred embodiment the main garment 3 has a return flap 47 disposed towards the upper portion of the main garment 3. In use the return flap 47 folds over towards the garment interior and the return flap distal portion 49 locates at the junction or periphery 13 between the interior side or front panel 7 and posterior side or back panel 9.

At the distal portion location 20 there are complementary components to engage components on the return flap distal portion 49 e.g. domes 59. In use when the return flap 47 is folded over and infant located in the garment, for example when laid on to the interior side of the back panel 9 this releasable engagement holds the return flap 47 in place over the upper torso of the infant. When held in place it forms one half of the neck aperture 17. It also acts to further secure the main garment 3 around the infant 2.

In the preferred embodiment the return flap 47 folds to the inside of the front panel or anterior side 7 and locates to the inside of that panel. In other embodiments it may fold on the outside of the front panel 7. Other means for allowing the releasable engagement of the return flap distal portion 49 are hook and loop closures (such as that sold under the Velαro™ brand), zip, hooks and other means and systems known in the art for allowing a releasable securement of one material to another.

In the less preferred or optional embodiment there is a means for releasable securement 51 of the inside of the front panel 7 to the outside of the return flap 47. This releasable securement can be achieved by hook and loop means such as Velcro™. In other embodiments it may be achieved by any form of releasable securement 9 in the art such as domes, hooks and other known methods, zips although not preferred may also be used for this releasable securement. The portion of at least one side 61 and the garment bottom 63 are closable in the preferred embodiment by a zip. The zip runs from, as shown in figure IB, the upper right hand side of the side 61 down and across the garment bottom 63 and returns partially up the opposite side 18. Unzipping of the side, bottom and other side allows the garment to be laid open in a form similar to that shown in Figure 3. Thereafter the infant 2 can be laid on the main garment 3 and then the main garment 3 folded around the infant 2, the return flap 47 secured in place and the front panel then zipped to the back panel to envelope at least the major part of the torso 7 of the infant 2, save for the arms and head.

In other methods of use only the side may be opened and the infant 2 slipped between the front panel 7 and back panel 9 and the return flap 47 arranged to correctly cover the infant 2. The main garment 3 is so shaped to provide maximum room in the interior of the garment to the infant 2 located therein whilst also tapering towards the upper portion to contour to the body of an infant 2 to locate correctly around the upper portion of the infant's torso 7. Various attachments, shown in Figure 2A, are releasably attachable to the main garment 3. Sleeves 23 can be attached around the periphery of the second apertures 19for the arm. In the preferred embodiment the sleeves 23 are zipped into location and have a flap that prevents the components of the zip rubbing on the infant's 2 arms that pass through into the sleeve. In other embodiments the releasable attachment of the sleeve 23 to the main garment 3 may be by Velcro™, hooks, domes or other releasably securable means known in the art. Additionally a piece of head wear, shown in Figure 5, can be attached to the area around the first aperture 17 for the head. The connection again is releasably securable and may be achieved by combination of domes and zips. In other embodiments the releasable attachment of the head wear 29 to the main garment 3 may be by Velcro™, hooks or other releasably securable means known in the art.

In one form of the preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 14, the main garment 3 and any attachments, whether attached or not can be folded into the head wear 29. Optionally there are drawstrings 77 of the head wear 29 pulled to act as an enclosure for the clothing assembly. In a preferred embodiment the head wear 29 has a pocket 101 on the interior at or toward the back of the head wear as shown in Figure 14B. The pocket 101 in its simplest form is a section or material attached to the head wear 29 with opening 102. The opening 102 in the preferred embodiment opens towards the neck aperture 81 of the head gear 29. The pocket 101 can have a closing of the opening 102, such as with elastication or a drawstring. This elastication of the opening can be sufficient to contain the attachments in the pocket 101, or in addition the optional draw strings 77 help to contain the attachments in the pocket 101.

Optionally the drawstring or drawstrings 77 passes or pass around not only the periphery of the open face aperture 79, but also near the periphery of the neck aperture 81. The result when the drawstring or drawstrings is that the apertures 79, and optionally the neck aperture 81, enclose the attachments contained in the headwear 29.

A further connection to the main garment is a main garment extension 27, shown in Figures 4A, B and C. This is essentially very similar to the main garment 3 except that it does not have the upper portion tailored for the head and arms. Rather it is essentially a hollow bag that can be attached to the main garment bottom 63 or 18 to extend the main garment 3. In the preferred embodiment of this the main garment portion 3 does not have a labyrinth opening 31. Rather the labyrinth opening 31 is present in the main garment extension 27. This embodiment can be described as a main garment 3 of the present invention but with a removably attachable bottom main garment extension 27. Various lengths of main garment extension are available to adapt the size of the garment to the size of the infant, for example as the infant grows.

For example, the main garment may be sized for a small infant 2 and used until the infant 2 grows to a size whereby the main garment 3 is no longer of sufficient size, for example length. Thereafter a larger main garment extension 27 can be added to allow for growth of the infant 2 and continue use of the main garment 3. In other embodiments still, there may be further portions intermediate the main garment 3 and the main garment extension 27 to facilitate further growth.

In the preferred embodiment the main garment 3 and any attachments to it are provided in a range of sizes to suit the size or age of infant they are to clothe. For example the main garment may have larger pairs of apertures for the arms, or at least there location may alter relative the body of the main garment. The main garment may be longer in the body in the next sizes up.

Thus as the infant grows a next size up main garment 3 and attachments can be used. Optionally some of the attachments whilst being of larger or smaller sizes can still attach to different sized main garments, for example if the sleeve areas are of the same size.

In other optional embodiments the main garment can be made to accommodate a range of sizes of infant. For example domes 59B in Figures 3 and 12 are located part way up the sides of the second apertures 19 for the arms. These can be used when the arms of an infant 2 put into the main garment are too small for the second apertures 19. On closing the domes 59B, the pair of second apertures 19 can be made smaller to accommodate the small arms and torso 7 of a small infant 2. In this way the garment can be made to fit a range of sizes of infant 2 and locate securely around the upper torso 7 of the infant 2 therein.

In the preferred embodiment the main garment extension 27 also has a labyrinth opening 31 in its front panel or anterior side 83 and a labyrinth opening at its rear panel or posterior side 85. Again these communicate through to the interior of the main garment 3 and main garment extension 27. Again the main garment 3 and main garment extension 27 open by a zip on one side 61 of the main garment and main garment extension 3 and 27 respectively and also the bottom 87 of the tnain garment extension. This allows a similar functionality as shown in figures IA and IB whereby a zip, for example, can be slid down to access the interior of the main garment 3 and main garment extension 27 to locate an infant 2 therein. The access is from the side and in the preferred embodiment from the bottom 87 also. The labyrinth opening 31 will now be described in its various embodiments, and are shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. The labyrinth opening essentially consists of two planar members 33A and 33B. These are located to overlap and thus form a labyrinth between them. In the preferred embodiment this overlap is of one planar member covering more than half than the other planar member. This provides for a substantial overlap of the two planar members 33A and 33B.

In the preferred embodiment these two planer members are secured about their periphery to the main garment 3. An aperture is cut into the main garment 3 and the labyrinth opening assembly 31 is located therein. In the preferred embodiment this location and securement of the labyrinth opening 31 is by stitching to the garment. The labyrinth opening 31 may be formed as a subassembly of the two planar members 33A and 33B prior to its association with the main garment 3. Also the location of the two planar members 33A and 33B to each other is by stitching. However in other preferred embodiments the securing of the two planar members 33A and 33B to each other and also to the main garment 3 can be achieved by any number of means. For example but not limited to heat sealing, ultra sonic welding, gluing, and other systems known in the art for securing one material to another.

In the preferred embodiment the planar members 33A and 33B are two rectangular planar members as shown in Figure 6A through D. The major axes of both planar members are aligned in a parallel fashion to form one slightly larger rectangle in plan form as shown in Figures 6A through D. In the preferred embodiment the inner planar member 33B (i.e. that planar member presenting its majority of its surface to the inside of the garment 3) is elasticated 43. In other embodiments both planar members may be elasticated. This elastication is either via the inherent elasticity of the material forming planar member 33B (for example the weave of the material, or the inherent elasticity of the material or its fibres), or is added by attaching an elastic material to the planar member 33B (or 33A). For example the planar member may be formed from rubber or neoprene, of a material with Lycra™ material as part of its construction. Alternatively the elastic may merely be sewn or otherwise attached into place. The labyrinth opening 31 in figure 6 A through D is shown with the major axes of each of the planar members 33A and 33B in a vertical orientation. In other embodiments the major axes of the two planar members 33A and 33B may be hori2ontally aligned. Horizontal and vertical in this context are referred to as horizontal being across the body of the main garment 3, and vertical runs from the garment bottom 63 towards the first aperture for the head 17.

A further embodiment of the labyrinth opening is shown in figures 7 and 8, consisting of one half (or near one half) circle planar member 33B and a larger circular member 33A with a segment thereof removed. The centres of the two circular planar members 33A and 33B in figures 7 and 8 are collinear and coincidental to form overall a circular labyrinth opening in plain view.

In figures 7 and 8 the circular form of the labyrinth opening has the centres of the planar members substantially co-linear. IN the preferred form of the present invention the centres of each are in fact co-linear.

The labyrinth opening 31 serves to provide a passage through from the posterior side of the main garment 3 or main garment extension 27, to the interior of the main garment 3 or main garment extension 27, and then through the anterior panel 7 to the exterior of the main garment 3, i.e. from the exterior of the garment to the interior

A user can therefore locate their child in, for example a child seat (either in a car or a stroller or buggy) whilst the child is wearing the main garment 3. The user can then place their hand in and through the main garment, via the labyrinth openings of the front panel 7 and back panel 9, to retrieve a child safety restraint 32 of the, for example car seat. The child safety restraint typically retrieved is the lower leg restraint that passes between the legs of the infant. The back panel 9 labyrinth opening is located vertically lower down the back panel 9 than the corresponding labyrinth opening 31 on the front panel 7. This is to accommodate the fact that when an infant is seated, of semi or fully reclined, the distance down the back and over the buttocks of the infant is greater than the distance from the front of the infant to a similar point at the crotch of the infant. Thus by making the back labyrinth opening at a lower position then when the infant is seated the extra distance allowed for the lower back labyrinth opening puts the front panel 7 labyrinth opening 31 and the back panel 9 labyrinth opening 31 in approximately the same position. Therefore reaching through the garment via the front panel 7 labyrinth opening 31 naturally puts the users hand in the proximity of the back panel 9 labyrinth opening 31 to then move through that opening to access the belt or similar that has to be drawn through. In simplest terms the lower position of the back panel 9 labyrinth opening 31 provides the two labyrinth openings (front and back panel) with the shortest distance between the two, particularly when the infant is seated or semi reclined.

Thus the infant 2 and at least the main garment can be located in a, for example, a child seat, and the harness of the child seat used in the normal way to restrain the infant 2 without substantially upsetting the main garment 3 or its extension.

In the preferred embodiment the sleeves 23 can be each be identical or can be a matched pair depending upon the exact contour of the second apertures for the hands 19 and the design shape of the sleeves 23.

A further feature of the sleeves 23 will now be described with reference to Figures 9 and 13. The end of the sleeve 67 has an inner sleeve end portion 65 and an outer sleeve end portion 75. The mechanics of the inner sleeve end portion 65 will now be described. The inner sleeve end portion 65 has an external fold 69 as shown in figures 13 A through E. This external fold exists only part way round the periphery 71 of the inner sleeve end portion 65. In effect it forms an upturned pocket when in the non-manipulated condition as shown in Figures 13 A through C. Figures 13A through E show a series of images of the external fold being manipulated from one side of the periphery 71 of the inner sleeve end portion to the other side. The external fold is manipulated by stretching to fold over the inner sleeve end portion and thus it blanks the inner sleeve end portion off once manipukted over to the other side as shown in figures 13D and E. This essentially forms a crude type of mitt in that the end of the sleeve 67 is blanked off. The outer sleeve end portion 75 can then be passed back over (eg by folding back down) the end of the sleeve 67 and forms an extra layer of protection. Materials of construction of the clothing assembly, including the main garment, extension, sleeves and hood, can be singular or composite. For example an inner material may be warm and breathable such as merino wool or other materials known to have such properties and then an outer layer having weather proof and water proof abilities can be present. In some embodiments whilst composite the layers are bonded or at least located together. In other embodiments of the invention there is a separate inner and separate outer with the desired material properties in each. The inner may be removable from the outer.

In Figure 12A through C is a further embodiment of the main garment 3 having a head aperture 17 and arm apertures 19. The arm apertures 19 are restrictable also again by the presence of domes 59B or other similar restriction means. The shoulder that lies between the side 61 that can be opened and the arm aperture 19 and head aperture 17 is releasably securable. In use the side 61 and garment bottom 63 (if necessary) zipped open and the shoulder portion between aperture 19 and side 61 and head aperture 17 is undone and that the infant is located therein. Thereafter the side and bottom 61 and 63 are closed and the shoulder aperture is releasably secured. This embodiment of the main garment can also have all the attachments previously shown.

Shown in Figure 14 is the piece of headwear 29 acting as an enclosure for the clothing assembly. A part of a sleeve 23 and main garment 3 can be seen extending from the headwear, the remainder of their extent being located within the headwear. The draw string 77 is then pulled, that extends around the back of the headwear and also about the face aperture 79, to encapsulate the clothing assembly therein. This then forms a drawstring bag for containing all or part of the clothing assembly. The headwear may be attached to the main garment 3 in this procedure, as can the attachments be to the main garment 3. The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A modular infant clothing assembly, comprising or including, a main garment, having at least one panel defining a sack that includes an anterior and posterior side into which at least the torso of an infant can be located, said sack, at the junction of said anterior and posterior sides, providing:

(i) a first aperture for a head of said infant to protrude through, and (ϋ) a pair of second apertures though each of which an arm of said infant can protrude through, at least a portion of at least one of said anterior or posterior sides being selectively openable to allow at least part of the body of said infant to pass into and be received inside the main garment, yet allow for the arms and head of the infant to protrude through a respective aperture, and attachments for said main garment selected from any one of more of, (i) a sleeve, or sleeves, one each removeably attachable at least in part around each of said second apertures,

(ii) a mitten or glove for a sleeve or sleeves, whether attached or attachable to a hand end of each of said sleeve or sleeves,

(iii) a main garment extension, removeably attachable to a lower portion of said main garment, and (iv) a piece of headwear, removeably attachable at least in part around said first aperture.

2. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main garment includes a first lapped or lapping labyrinth opening through said anterior side and a second lapped or lapping labyrinth opening through said posterior side so that at least a child safety restraint can be passed through the main garment via said labyrinth opening(s).

3. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said labyrinth opening is formed from at least two planar members that overlap defining a labyrinth therethrough.

4. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said two planar members are rectangular in plan form and have their major axes parallel to each other.

5. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said two planar members are curved in plan form, at least at their respective peripheries and have their major axes parallel to each other.

6. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said two planar members are a truncated circle, in plan form and have their centres co-linear to each other.

7. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein said overlap is of at least one planar member lapping over half way across the body of the other planar member.

8. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein said overlap is of each planar member lapping over half way across the body of the other planar member.

9. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8 wherein at least one of said planar members is an at least in part elastic planar member.

10. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein at least one of said planar members is elastic over at least the entire region of said planar member that forms at least said overlap.

11. A modular infant clo tiling assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein at least one region between one of said second pair of apertures and said first aperture is a selectively releasable region.

12. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein at least part of said posterior side extends as a return flap that folds over and forms at least part of said head aperture on said anterior side.

13. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein a distal portion of said return flap releasably secures to a side of said sack opposite to that from which it extends.

14. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in either of claim 12 or 13 wherein said return flap releasably secures to an interior portion of either said anterior or posterior portion.

15. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in either of claim 12 or 13 wherein said return flap releasably secures to an exterior portion of either said anterior or posterior portion.

16. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein said return flap is releasably securable part way along its length to a side of said anterior portion that it folds over.

17. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein said releasable securement is a hook and loop securement.

18. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17 wherein said labyrinth opening is a vertically oriented slot.

19. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17 wherein said labyrinth opening is a horizontally oriented slot.

20. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17 wherein said labyrinth opening is an arcuate shaped slot.

21. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein said piece of headwear can also function as an enclosure to contain all or part of said infant clothing assembly.

22. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 21 wherein said child safety restraint can be passed through said main garment without further access being required to the interior of the main garment.

23. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein said infant attire is manufactured substantially from merino fibres.

24. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein said attachments are attachable to said main garment or each other by releasably detachable means.

25. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein said sleeves are attachable by zips to said main garment.

26. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein said piece of head wear is attachable by a plurality of domes and/or a zip to said main garment.

27. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26 wherein a part of said portion of at least one said side is selectively openable and closable by at least one zip.

28. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein said at least one zip on said main garment closes at least part of a side of said main garment and a bottom of said main garment.

29. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28 wherein said main garment portion is in the form of a hollow sack, closed on three sides and open towards a top side.

30. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29 wherein one of three sides of said main garment extension is selectively openable.

31. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 30 wherein said main garment extension allows the main garment size to be increased to allow for growth in the infant.

32. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31 wherein said main garment extension has an anterior panel and a posterior panel, both to attach to and extend the anterior and posterior panel of said main garment.

33. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said attachment to said main garment is along the top side of said main garment extension to said bottom of said main garment.

34. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 33 wherein that side of said main garment extension that is selectively openable is the same side of said main garment that is selectively openable.

35. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 34 wherein the bottom of said main garment extension is also selectively openable.

36. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 35 wherein said main garment extension includes a labyrinth opening on a posterior and an anterior side of said main garment extension.

37. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 36 wherein said labyrinth opening on said anterior side is located higher than that on said posterior side.

38. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 37 wherein said main garment extension is selectively attachable to said main garment by a zip or zips.

39. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 38 wherein an end portion of said sleeve or sleeves has an external fold over a part of a periphery of an end of said sleeve.

40. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 39 wherein said external fold can be manipulated to fold over said end of said sleeve to the remainder of said sleeve end periphery and in doing so blanks off said end of said sleeve.

41. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in either of claims 39 or 40 wherein said end of said sleeve has an additional outer layer that extends to at least in part cover said end of said sleeve.

42. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 41 wherein the size of said second pair of apertures can be reduced by closing off at least part of the apertures by use of a releasable securement.

43. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42 wherein at least the main garment is available in a range of sizes.

44. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42 wherein said attachments are available in a range of sizes.

45. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 44 wherein said headwear has an internal pocket to receive at least some of said attachments to store said at least some attachments.

46. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in claim 45 wherein said internal pocket has an opening directed towards a neck aperture of said headwear where said headwear attaches to said neck aperture.

47. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 46 wherein when a main garment extension is present, there is no labyrinth opening in said main garment.

48. A modular infant clothing assembly, comprising or including, a main garment, of a front panel and a back panel joined together at least on one part of their periphery to provide,

(i) a head aperture toward an upper part of said main garment, and (ii) a pair of arm apertures each towards a side of said main garment, at least a portion of at least one said side being selectively openable to receive and substantially cover a body of said infant in use inside said main garment, save for the arms and head of said infant,

^■wherein said main garment includes a lapped or lapping labyrinth opening through said front panel and a labyrinth opening through said back panel so that at least a child safety restraint can be passed through the main garment via said labyrinth opening(s), and attachments to said main garment selected from any one of more of, (i) a sleeve, or sleeves, one each removeably attachable at least in part around each of said second apertures,

(iii) a main garment extension, removeably attachable to a lower portion of said main garment, and

(iv) a piece of headwear, removeably attachable to at least in part around said first aperture.

49. An infant garment or garments as herein described with reference to any one of more of the accompanying drawings.

50. An attachment for an infant garment as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

51. A modular infant clothing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 46.

52. A method of using a modular infant clothing assembly as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.