WO2009000010A1

WO2009000010A1 - Convertible garments

Info

Publication number: WO2009000010A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001733
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rodney Clarke; Deborah Lee Mclaggan
Original assignee: Apparel Tec Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2007-11-12
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: CA2690810A1; EP2170114A1; US20100281601A1; JP2010531395A; WO2009000009A1; CA2716970A1

Abstract

A convertible garment with legs (4,5) that can be shortened. The legs (4,5) extend to below knee length and each have a bottom hem end (6,7). Releasable seams (9,10) extend from each hem (6,7) along an inner leg side of the legs (4,5). Leg attachment devices (30) are provided on a lower portion (F) of each leg (4,5). Respective upper garment attachment devices (31) are provided above an upper end of the releasable seams (9,10). The garment is converted from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration by opening the releasable seams (9,10) and folding a lower portion (F) of each leg (4,5) to extend beside an upper portion (G) of the garment. The leg attachment devices (30) are releasably engaged with corresponding ones of the upper garment attachment devices (31) to secure the lower portion (F) to the respective upper portion (G).

Description

CONVERTIBLE GARMENTS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to convertible garments with legs and/or sleeves. There are a range of applications for garments which can be converted from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration or long sleeve configuration to short sleeve configuration respectively. These types of garments are suitable to provide for the changing climatic conditions or level of activity experienced by the wearer which desirably allow the wearer to be cooler, warmer or stay dry as appropriate. Examples include industrial work wear and military uniforms.

Background to the Invention

In the case of convertible pants there are also applications where activities for example fishing or hiking may require the negotiation of a water crossing or the boarding of a boat through water. When long pants are being worn this can present a problem if the lower part of the pants becomes wet resulting in discomfort for the wearer until the pants dry. These problems have been addressed in the past in two ways. It has been known to roll up the leg of long pants to above the knee. This is awkward and frequently the pants become unrolled. Some purpose built pants have a removable lower leg section joined to the upper part for example by a zip extending circumferentially around the leg. This type of pant allows the lower portion of the pants to be removed and refitted at a later time. Whilst satisfactory in some respects it is frequently also necessary to remove footwear to allow the lower portion of the legs of the pants to be removed. Consequently removal of the lower portion of the leg results in three separate components and in a need to temporarily store the detached components with a significant risk of the lower portions inadvertently being lost.

In the case of shirts this problem has additionally been addressed by providing devices which allow shirt sleeves to be "rolled up" and secured. Various configurations of buttons, tabs and the like have been provided to retain the rolled up sleeve in place. Difficulties with this approach include the bulk of the material rolled up which can be uncomfortable particularly if it becomes wet. The existing retention arrangements generally only hold the rolled up bundle at one point and it tends to hang downwardly which can inhibit movement of the wearer's arm.

Disclosure of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide convertible garments with legs and/or sleeves that address one or more of the above shortcomings.

Accordingly, in one aspect this invention provides a convertible garment with legs that can be shortened, said garment including a pair of legs extending to below knee length and each having a bottom hem end, respective releasable seams extending from each hem along an inner side of the legs, leg attachment devices provided on a lower portion of each leg, co-operating respective upper garment attachment devices above an upper end of said releasable seams whereby said releasable seams can be opened and a lower portion of each leg folded to extend beside an upper portion of the garment and the leg attachment devices releasably engaged with corresponding ones of the upper garment attachment device to secure the lower portion to the respective upper portion of the garment to convert the garment from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration, the garment further including a crotch, wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located above the crotch.

In a preferred form of the invention, the garment includes a waistband portion with the upper garment attachment devices located adjacent the waistband.

In one form of the invention the upper garment attachment devices are located on the outside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded upwards to be outside the upper portion of the garment.

In another form of the invention the upper garment attachment devices are located on the inside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded to be inside the upper portion of the garment. Preferably, the upper portion of the garment includes an access opening to facilitate attachment and release of the cooperating leg attachment devices and upper garment attachment devices.. Preferably, the access opening comprises a transverse opening, extending circumferentially around the garment, and a longitudinal opening, intersecting the transverse opening and extending downwardly therefrom, thereby defining at least one flap which is outwardly openable to open the access opening so as to facilitate access through the interior of the leg to the lower leg portion for shortening the respective leg. Preferably, the longitudinal opening intersects the transverse opening at an intermediate position along the transverse opening, thereby defining a pair of flaps. Preferably, a gusset extends across the opening to limit the displacement of the or each flap.

Preferably the releasable seam extends to about midway between the hem end of the leg and the upper garment attachment devices.

In a preferred form of the invention the leg attachment devices are located at or adjacent the hem end of each leg.

In one form of the invention the garment further includes respective intermediate attachment devices located on each leg between the corresponding upper garment and leg attachment devices and respective lower attachment devices provided on each leg below said leg attachment devices whereby the lower leg portion can be folded to engage the corresponding lower leg attachment devices and intermediate attachment devices to shorten the leg before the folded lower portion is folded beside the upper portion to engage the corresponding leg attachment devices and upper garment attachment devices. Preferably, the intermediate attachment devices are on the outside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded outside the leg to engage the corresponding intermediate attachment devices and lower attachment devices.

In a form of the invention, the waist attachment devices are preferably provided at the waistband to receive a belt and the leg attachment devices are positioned on the hem to coincide with the position of the belt loops when the pant leg is folded upwardly. The releasable seam can be formed using any appropriate releasable fastening. In one form of the invention a zipper is used however any suitable fastening such as hook and loop or snap lock fastenings can also be used.

The leg attachment devices can take the form of straps fitted with snap lock fasteners. In a form of the invention three attaching devices are provided respectively located adjacent each side of the releasable seam and opposite the releasable seam.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, outer sides of the legs are not provided with releasable seams extending therealong.

According to another aspect this invention provides a convertible garment with sleeves, said garment including a pair of sleeves extending to below elbow length and each having a bottom cuff end, respective releasable seams extending from each cuff along each sleeve, sleeve attachment devices provided at or adjacent the cuff end of each sleeve and respective upper garment attachment devices above an upper end of said releasable seams, whereby said releasable seams can be opened and a lower portion of each sleeve folded to extend beside an upper portion of the sleeve and the sleeve attachment devices releasably engaged with corresponding ones of the upper garment attachment devices to secure the cuff ends to the respective upper portion of the garment to convert the garment from a long sleeve configuration to a short sleeve configuration.

It will be apparent that in conventional pants the pant leg is typically fully enclosed from between the crotch section of the seat of the pants down to the lower opening at the hem through which the feet protrude. This invention allows for the temporary opening up of the pant leg along the releasable inseam, which facilitates the lower leg section being folded upwards. Similarly, the opening of the sleeve of the shirt according to this invention facilitates the folding of the sleeve upwards to a short sleeve configuration.

It will also be apparent that the construction of the garment according to this invention provides a one piece construction that eliminates the detachment of portions of the garment in the conversion from long pants to shorts and long sleeves to short sleeves.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic sketch of the rear of a pair of pants according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic sketch of the front of a pair of pants according to the present invention showing one releasable seam open and the pant leg partially folded;

Figure 3 is a sketch of a front of a pair of pants according to the present invention with one leg shortened;

Figure 4 is a schematic sketch of a belt loop and attachment device forming part of the pants of the present invention;

Figures 5A to 5C show a further embodiment of a pair of pants according to the present invention;

Figures 6A to 6C show a still further embodiment of a pair of pants according to the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic sketch of the front of a pair of pants according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a sketch of the front of the pants of Figure 7 with one releasable seam open and the pant leg partially folded;

Figure 9 is a sketch of the pants in Figure 8 with the pant leg partially folded further; Figure 10 is a sketch of the pants in Figure 9 with the lower attachment device connected to the intermediate attachment device;

Figure 11 is a sketch of the pants in Figure 10 being folded into the upper portion of the pants;

Figure 12 is a sketch of the pants of Figures 7 to 11 with one leg shortened;

Figure 13 is a schematic cross-section of the shortened leg of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a schematic sketch of the front of a pair of pants according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15 is a sketch of the pants of Figure 14 with one leg partially folded;

Figure 16 is a sketch of the pants of Figures 14 and 15 with one leg shortened;

Figure 17 is a sketch of a cross-section of the shortened leg shown in Figure 16; and

Figure 18 is a sketch of a front of a pair of pants according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention with one releasable seam open and the pant leg partially folded;

Figure 19 is a sketch of the rear of the pair of pants of Figure 18 with both legs extended and both releasable seams closed;

Figure 20 is a sketch of the front of the pair of pants of Figure 18 with one leg fully folded and an associated expandable access opening partially opened;

Figure 21 is a front detailed view of the partially open access opening shown in Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a front detailed view of the access opening shown in Figure 21 opened to a greater extent;

Figure 23 is a sketch of the pants of Figure 18 with the access opening open to the same extent as shown in Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a front view of the access opening of the pants of Figure 18 fully opened with a lower attachment device on a folded pant leg partly attached to an upper attachment portion;

Figure 25 is a rear view of the arrangement shown in Figure 24; and

Figure 26 shows a further embodiment of the convertible garment according to the present invention in the form of a sleeved shirt.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention in the form of a pair of pants. The pants are of substantially conventional construction. The pants have a waistband 2 defining the top of the pants. A series of belt loops 3 are attached spaced around the waistband 2. A pair of legs 4, 5 extend to below the length and each have a hem 6, 7 defining a bottom end. Each of the legs 4, 5 are provided with a releasable inner leg seam 9,10 extending upwardly from the corresponding hem 6,7. The releasable seams 9, 10 are preferably in the form of zippers which extend from the hem to approximately the mid point between the hems 6, 7 and waistband 2. The hem 6, 7 of each leg 5, 6 is fitted with hem attaching devices. The hem attaching devices are strips of fabric 11 (as shown in Figure 4) fitted with snap lock connectors 12, 13 which enable a releasable loop to be formed. The hem attaching devices 11 are sewn to the inside hem (not shown) in the region 14 of the attachment device. Each leg 4,5 has three hem attachment devices 11 secured inside hems 6,7 respectively adjacent the edges of releasable seams 9,10 and opposite the seam. Two of the hem attachment devices 11 are shown in Figure 2 where the hem 6 of one leg 4 is attached by means of the hem attachment devices 11 to the belt loops 3.

In use the legs 4, 5 of the pants 1 are shortened by opening the releasable seams 9,10. This is best shown in Figure 2 which also shows initial folding upward of the leg of the pants. As seen in Figure 3 the leg of the pants can be further folded upwardly over the top part of the pants 1 so that the hem 6 extends about the waistband 2. Hem attachment devices 11 secure the legs to the belt loops 3 at three locations. This results in the pants being converted to short pants.

Figures 5A to 5D show a further embodiment of the pants according to the present invention. In this embodiment a modified hem attachment device is provided in the form of a metallic loop 15 attached to a strip of fabric 16 which is sewn inside the hems 6, 7. Corresponding position metallic hooks 18 secured by strips of fabric 19 are provided adjacent the waistband 3 for engagement of the hooks 15 to retain the trouser leg about the waist of the pants. In all other respects the pants of the further embodiment are the same as described in relation to the first embodiment and the same reference numerals have been used to identify corresponding features.

Figures 6A to 6C show yet a further embodiment of the pants according to the present invention. In this embodiment the hem attachment devices 11 are replaced with female press stud portions 20 provided on the hems 6, 7 of the pants. Corresponding male press stud portions 21 are positioned adjacent the waistband 3 so that engagement secures the hems 6, 7 of the pants about the waist 3 of the pants.

Figures 7 to 13 show another embodiment of the convertible garment in the form of a pair of pants. The pants are of the same general construction as those shown in Figures 1 to 6 and the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding features. The pants 1 have a waistband 2 defining the top of the pants. A pair of legs 4, 5 extend below knee length and each have a hem 6, 7 defining a bottom end. Each of the legs 4, 5 are provided with a releasable inner leg seam 9, 10 extending upwardly from the corresponding hem 6,7- The releasable seams 9, 10 are in the form of zippers extending from the hem to about midway between the hem and the waistband 2. In this embodiment the legs are folded twice to convert the pants from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration. Each leg 4, 5 is provided with a leg attachment device 30 on the inside of the lower portion of each leg. The leg attachment device 30 shown in hidden detail in Figure 7. The leg attachment device 30 takes the form of one half of a zipper fastening that extends circumferentially around the inside of each leg 4,5 from one side of the inner leg seam(s) 9,10 to the other side of the inner leg seam. Upper garment attachment device 31 in the form of the other half of the zipper fastener are located in the thigh region of the pants above the upper end of the releasable seams 9, 10. The upper fastening zipper 31 extends circumferentially around the inside of the garment corresponding to the length of zipper fastening 30. An access zipper 37 corresponding in length and position to the fastening zipper 31 is provided in the legs 4, 5 of the garment to allow internal access to the upper zipper 31. An intermediate attachment device 32 is provided midway between the leg attachment device 30 and the upper garment attachment device 31. The intermediate attachment device 32 takes the form of one side of a zipper fastening which extends circumferentially around the outside of the legs 4,5. A covering flap 34 is provided to hide the zipper fastener. A lower attachment device 35 in the form of a zipper is provided adjacent the hem of the pants extending circumferentially around the outside of legs 4, 5. A covering flap of material 36 is provided to hide zipper 35.

It will be apparent that the four attachment devices 30, 31 , 32 and 35 are substantially equally spaced so as to provide for folding of the garment as will be described below. The areas between the attachment devices are labelled A, B, C.

To convert the pants from the long leg configuration as shown in Figure 7 to the short leg configuration the following steps are performed. The access zipper 37 is opened to allow access to the adjacent upper zipper 31. The inner seam 9, 10 is opened all the way to its upper end. The lower portion A of each leg is then folded over the outside upwardly so that the zipper part 35 of the lower attachment device and the zipper part 32 of the intermediate attachment device can be engaged and zipped together. This shortens the leg to the form shown in Figure 10 and results in the leg attachment device (zipper) 30 being at the lower end of the shortened leg with the lower portion A of the leg folded over the portion of the leg B. The folded portion is then passed upwardly inside the leg 4 so that the leg attachment zipper 30 can be engaged with the zipper device 31 via the access hole 38 formed by the open access zipper 37. The zipper 30 is attached to the upper zipper 31 so that the lower portion A₁B of the leg extends beside the upper portion C on the inside and is held in position. The lowest portion of the shortened leg then becomes the flap 34 covering the intermediate zipper 32. The position of the various portions in the short leg configuration can be seen in the schematic cross section of Figure 13 in which the various panels are labelled. Panel A₁ the lower most panel is positioned on the inside with the hem 6 lower most. Panel B, the next panel is positioned between the lower most panel A and the thigh panel C. Once all of the attachment devices have been secured the access opening 38 is closed and the pants are ready to be worn in the short leg configuration. It will be appreciated that the conversion from the long pant configuration to the short pant configuration and vice versa can readily be achieved whilst wearing the pants without the need to remove footwear and without detaching any part of the garment.

Figures 14 to 17 show another embodiment of the convertible garment in the form of a pair of pants. The pants are of the same general construction as those shown in Figures 7 to 13 and the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding features. The pants 1 have a waistband 2 defining the top of the pants. A pair of legs 4, 5 extend below the knee length and each have a hem 6, 7 defining a bottom end. Each of the legs 4, 5 are provided with a releasable inner leg seam 9, 10 extending upwardly from the corresponding hem 6, 7. The releasable seams 9, 10 are in the form of zippers from the hem to about midway between the hem and the waistband 2. In this embodiment the legs are folded once to convert the pants from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration. Each leg 4, 5 is provided with a leg attachment device 30 on the outside of the lower portion of each leg. The leg attachment device 30 takes the form of one half of a zipper fastener that extends circumferentially around the outside adjacent the hem 6, 7. The zipper 30 extends substantially the whole circumference of the hem. A covering flap 36 is provided to hide the zipper. An upper garment attachment device 31 in the form of a corresponding half of the zipper fastener is located in the upper portion of the pants adjacent the waistband 2. The upper fastening zipper 31 extends circumferentially around the inside of the garment and corresponds in length to the zipper 30. An access zipper 37 corresponding in length and position to the fastening zipper 31 is provided near the waistband 2 of the garment to allow internal access to the upper zipper 31.

It will be apparent that the respective attachment devices or zippers 30,31 are substantially separated by the length of the pants so as to provide for folding of the garment approximately in half as will be described below.

To convert the pants from the long leg configuration as shown in Figure 14 to the short leg configuration the following steps are performed. The access zipper 37 is opened to allow access to the adjacent upper zipper 31. The inner seam 9,10 is opened all the way to its upper end. The hem 6, 7 of the lower portion F is passed upwardly inside the leg so that the leg zipper 30 can be engaged with the upper zipper 31 via the access hole 38. The leg zipper 30 is attached to the upper zipper 31 so that the lower portion of the leg extends beside the upper portion G on the inside and is held in position. The lowest portion of the leg then becomes the fold line 40 of the leg approximately halfway down the length of the pants. The position of the various portions in the short leg configuration can be seen in the schematic cross section D-D of Figure 17 in which the various panels are labelled. Panel F, the lowermost panel is positioned on the inside of upper panel G with the hem 7 uppermost. Once the zippers 30, 31 have been secured the access opening 38 is closed and the pants are ready to be worn in the short leg configuration.

Figures 18 to 25 show another embodiment of the convertible garment in the form of a pair of pants. The pants are of the same general construction as those shown in Figures 14 to 17 (and the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding features) though incorporate a modified access opening, which is expandable. The pants 1 have a waistband 2 defining the top of the pants. Legs 4, 5 extend below the knee length and each has a hem 6, 7 defining a bottom end. The legs 4, 5 are each provided with a releasable inner leg seam 9, 10 extending upwardly from the corresponding hem 6, 7 to a position slightly above the knee.

In this embodiment, the legs, like those of the embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 17, are folded once to convert the pants from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration, and each is provided with a leg attachment device 30 on the outside of the lower portion of each leg. The leg attachment device 30 takes the form of one half of a zipper fastener that extends circumferentially around the outside adjacent the hem 6, 7. The zipper 30 extends substantially the whole circumference of the hem. A covering flap 36 is provided to hide the zipper. An upper garment attachment device 31 in the form of a corresponding half of the zipper fastener is located in the upper portion of the pants between the crotch of the pants and the waistband 2, more particularly adjacent the waistband 2. The upper fastening zipper 31 extends circumferentially around the inside of the garment and corresponds in length to the zipper 30.

The pants 1 comprise an inner layer or lining 69 (as may all of the pants of the previous embodiments), which is attached to the outer layer of the pants at the waistband 2 and also along the mating longitudinal edges of the fly. The lining 69 lines the seat area (the seat being the area of the pants between the waist and the crotch) and upper leg portions of the pants 1 , but is separated therefrom so that the lower leg portions F can be received between the lining 69 and the upper leg portions when the legs are shortened.

The pants 1 further comprise a pair of access openings 70, one for each leg 4, 5, in the seat of the pants. The access opening 70 provides improved access to the lower leg portion F through the interior of the pants to enable a person whilst wearing the pants to reach down through the interior of each leg of the pants, between the lining 69 and the outer layer of the pants, to pull the portion F upwardly to convert the pants into the short leg configuration by connecting the lower leg attachment device 30 to the upper garment attachment device 31 , the upper garment attachment device 31 being concealed behind the exterior layer of the garment.

The access opening 70 comprises a transverse opening 72 which extends around the waist area from the upper front thigh area to a position near the centre of the rear of the seat. As can be seen in Figures 18 to 20, the transverse opening is provided adjacent to and slightly below the waistband 2. Each transverse opening 72 comprises a pair of opposed access zippers 73, 74 arranged end-to- end. Zipper 73, which is relatively short in length, extends from the middle of the upper front thigh area towards the fly. Zipper 74 extends from the middle of the upper front thigh area, around the side of the pants, to a position near the centre of the rear of the seat. The zippers 73 and 74 are provided with respective sliders which are movable towards each other to close the zippers 73, 74, and away from each other to open the zippers 73, 74 and thus the transverse opening 72.

The access opening 70 further comprises a longitudinal opening 76 which intersects the transverse opening 72 and extends generally downwardly therefrom, i.e. in the direction towards the hem. The longitudinal opening 76, which takes the form of a slit in the exterior layer of the pants, extends from between the adjacent ends of zippers 73 and 74 to the middle of the upper front thigh area, slightly above the level of the crotch, where it terminates. The longitudinal opening 76 extends outwardly from the transverse opening 72 towards the outer leg seam, to form an angle of approximately 10° to 15° with the longitudinal axis of the respective leg.

The transverse 72 and longitudinal 76 openings define opposed flaps 77, 78 which are outwardly openable to open the access opening 70 and facilitate access through the interior of the leg to the lower leg portion for shortening the respective leg.

When the access opening 70 is closed, the flaps 77 and 78 overlap slightly, the longitudinal edge of flap 78 overlapping that of flap 77. The flaps 77, 78 are provided with a closure which releasably joins the longitudinal edges. Specifically, the inner wall of flap 78 and outer wall of flap 77 are provided with mating snap fasteners in the form of press studs 80, arranged along the longitudinal edges of the flaps 78, 77. It will be appreciated that alternative fastening means, such as hook-and-loop or zipper fasteners, are possible also.

Extending between the longitudinal edges of the flaps 77 and 78 is an expandable gusset 82 (see Figures 21 to 24). The gusset 82 extends along substantially the entirety of the longitudinal edges of the flaps 77, 78, and extends across the transverse opening 76 to cover substantially the entirety of the transverse opening 76. Holes are provided in the gusset 82 to enable access to the press studs 80 on flap 78.

When the access opening 70 is fully open (ie. when the zips 73, 74 and fasteners 80 are undone), as seen in Figures 24 and 25, the gusset 82 is fully expanded and an access cavity 83 thus defined. The cavity 83 has an upwardly opening access mouth 84, formed by the transverse edges of the flaps 77, 78 and upper edge of the gusset 82. Upper attachment device 31 , which is positioned slightly below and extends in general alignment with the zippers 73, 74, is then readily accessible through mouth 84.

When the flaps 77, 78 are closed, the gusset 82 assumes a gathered configuration and is received against the lining 69.

Each gusset 82, fully expanded (i.e. when its upper edge is taut), prevents the flaps 77, 78, from completely falling away from the thigh area. Also, advantageously, the flaps 77, 78 and gusset 82, owing to the weight of the flaps 77, 78 and their corresponding tendency to fall away from the thigh area, create the access cavity 83. The gusset 82 is formed from a sufficiently large area of fabric so that it bulges outwardly slightly rather than assuming a planar configuration, thus adding to the size of the cavity 83.

The zipper 31 is provided on the outside of the lining 69, as it may be in the previous embodiment, and is concealed internally when the access opening is closed. Advantageously, the upper attachment device 31 , as is the case with all of the previous embodiments, is positioned above the crotch 86, and in particular slightly below the waistband 2, of the pants. As a result, the hem end of the lower leg portion F, when attached to the upper garment attachment device 31 , is accommodated within the seat portion of the garment, instead of being confined within the much smaller circumference of the upper leg portion (below the crotch), where it would extend a considerable distance around the wearer's upper leg, taking up valuable space and causing constriction or necessitating undesirably baggy upper leg portions. As will be clear from Figures 23 and 24 in particular, a substantial amount of the lower leg portion, owing to the location of the upper garment attachment device 31 , will be received in the seat section of the pants, where it will assume a much flatter configuration than if it were received below the crotch 86.

The pants of this embodiment, like those of the embodiments show in Figures 1 to 6 and 14 to 17, comprise legs which are each folded only once to convert the pants to shorts, thereby minimising the number of times the leg material is folded back on itself and thus the tendency of the upper parts of the wearer's legs to overheat or be constricted as a result of a plurality of folded layers.

The way in which the pants are shortened whilst being worn by a wearer will now be described.

Firstly, the wearer reaches down and unzips one of the zippers 9, 10, thereby releasing one of the releasable seams.

Next, the wearer unzips the zippers 73, 74 and separates the releasable fasteners 80, whereupon the flaps 77, 78 open outwardly from the seat section of the pants until the gusset 82 fully expands and the access opening 70 is fully opened.

The wearer then inserts their arm through the mouth 84 and reaches down the interior of the leg portion to grasp the lower leg portion and pull it up through the interior of the leg. The wearer then fastens the lower garment attachment zipper 30 to the zipper 31. Advantageously, owing to the large size of the cavity created by opening access opening 70, the wearer can then manipulate the material of the lower leg portion so that it is smoothly and uniformly distributed around their upper thigh.

Finally, the zippers 73 and 74 are closed and the mating fasteners 80 re-attached.

The above procedure is repeated for the other leg, resulting in a short configuration of the pants.

Advantageously, the pants of the present invention allow for the opening up of each tubular pant leg along the releasable inseam, which eliminates the constriction which would be caused if the (otherwise still tubular) lower leg section were folded to be located around the wider upper area of the wearer's leg. Such constriction would be even more significant where the legs of the pants were tapered such that the transverse cross sectional area of the interior of the legs decreased in the direction towards the ankles (as is often the case).

It will be apparent that the pants of the present invention have the advantage of providing a simple, quick and effective way of being converted from long pants to short pants and vice versa. This allows the wearer to achieve a desired level of comfort and/or protection according to the prevailing climate conditions or level of physical activity without having to change clothes. In addition, the change to short pants does not result in the detachment of any portion of the pants that might be lost or misplaced. Figure 25 shows a convertible garment in the form of a shirt 50. The shirt 50 is of a generally conventional construction with a pair of long sleeves 51 and 52. The sleeves end in cuffs 53 and are provided with a releasable seam 55 in the form of zippers extending from each cuff along the sleeves to approximately midway between the cuff and shoulder. Sleeve attachment devices 57 are provided at or adjacent the cuff and take the form of one half of the zipper as described above for the convertible pants. An upper garment attachment device 59 is provided on the inside of the sleeve in the form of a corresponding half of a zipper. Access to the upper garment attachment device 59 is provided through an opening 60 with a zipper 61. As described for the convertible pants the long sleeve shirt can be converted to a short sleeve shirt by opening the releasable seam 55 and folding the lower portion of the sleeve M inwardly so that it extends beside and inside the upper portion of the sleeve N. The sleeve attachment devices 57 are engaged with the corresponding upper garment attachment devices 59 to secure the cuff ends 53 to the sleeve adjacent the shoulder.

The foregoing describes only certain embodiments of the invention and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A convertible garment with legs that can be shortened, said garment including a pair of legs extending to below knee length and each having a bottom hem end, respective releasable seams extending from each hem along an inner side of the legs, leg attachment devices provided on a lower portion of each leg, co-operating respective upper garment attachment devices above an upper end of said releasable seams whereby said releasable seams can be opened and a lower portion of each leg folded to extend beside an upper portion of the garment and the leg attachment devices releasably engaged with corresponding ones of the upper garment attachment device to secure the lower portion to the respective upper portion of the garment to convert the garment from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration, the garment further including a crotch, wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located above the crotch.

2. A convertible garment according to claim 1 , wherein the garment includes a waistband portion and the upper garment attachment devices are located adjacent the waistband portion.

3. A convertible garment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located on the outside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded upwards to be outside the upper portion of the garment.

4. A convertible garment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located on the inside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded to be inside the upper portion of the garment.

5. A convertible garment according to claim 4, wherein the upper portion of the garment includes at least one access opening to facilitate attachment and release of the co-operating leg attachment devices and the upper garment attachment devices.

6. A convertible garment according to claim 5, wherein the access opening comprises a transverse opening, extending circumferentially around the garment, and a longitudinal opening, intersecting the transverse opening and extending downwardly therefrom, thereby defining at least one flap which is outwardly openable to open the access opening so as to facilitate access through the interior of the leg to the lower leg portion for shortening the respective leg.

7. A convertible garment according to claim 6, wherein a gusset extends across the opening to limit the displacement of the or each flap.

8. A convertible garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable seam extends to about midway between the hem end and the upper garment attachment devices.

9. A convertible garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg attachment devices are located at or adjacent the hem end of each leg.

10. A convertible garment according to claim 1 , the garment further including respective intermediate attachment devices located on each leg between the corresponding upper garment and leg attachment devices and respective lower leg attachment devices provided on each leg below said leg attachment devices whereby the lower leg portion can be folded to engage the corresponding lower leg attachment device and intermediate attachment device to shorten the leg before the folded lower portion is folded beside the upper portion to engage the corresponding leg attachment device and upper garment attachment device.

11. A convertible garment according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate attachment devices are on the outside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded outside the leg to engage the corresponding intermediate attachment devices and lower attachment devices.

12. A convertible garment according claim 10 or 11 , wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located on the inside of the garment and the folded lower leg portion is folded to be inside the upper portion of the garment.

13. A convertible garment according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the lower attachment devices are located at or adjacent the hem end of each leg.

14. A convertible garment according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the garment includes a waistband portion and the upper garment attachment devices are located adjacent the waistband.

15. A convertible garment with sleeves, said garment including a pair of sleeves extending to below elbow length and each having a bottom cuff end, respective releasable seams extending from each cuff along each sleeve, sleeve attachment devices provided at or adjacent the cuff end of each sleeve and respective upper garment attachment devices above an upper end of said releasable seams, whereby said releasable seams can be opened and a lower portion of each sleeve folded to extend beside an upper portion of the sleeve and the sleeve attachment devices releasably engaged with corresponding ones of the upper garment attachment devices to secure the cuff ends to the respective upper portion of the garment to convert the garment from a long sleeve configuration to a short sleeve configuration.

16. A convertible garment according to claim 15, wherein upper garment attachment devices are located on the outside of the sleeve and the lower sleeve portion is folded to be outside the upper sleeve portion.

17. A convertible garment according to claim 15, wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located on the inside of the sleeve and the lower sleeve portion is folded to be inside the upper sleeve portion.

18. A convertible garment according to claim 17, wherein the upper sleeve portion includes an access opening to facilitate attachment and release of the sleeve attachment devices and the upper garment attachment devices.

19. A convertible garment according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the releasable seam extends to about midway between the cuff end and the upper garment attachment devices.

20. A convertible garment according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the sleeve attachment devices are located at or adjacent the cuff end of each sleeve.