WO2015033217A2 - A wearable item - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment comprising at least one pocket and at least one stowable section. The stowable section has a first position within the pocket and a second position extended from the garment. The garment is wearable in the first position, and, when in the second position, the stowable section covers at least part of one limb and/or at least part of the torso of a user.

Description

A W11A.RABLH ITKM

SUMMARY ΟΓ THE rNVRNTION: The invention relates to an article, which may be clothing or a bag comprising sections or features that can be stowed compactly within pockets of the article. The Features may be se!ectably pulled out to improve the function of the article or to convert the article for a different purpose, such as to improve thermal function, enhance a costume, or provide some other aesthetic or functional feature.

BACKGROUND

Whilst bags and clothing with deployable sections have previously been proposed, \n the bags, often when (he deployahle section has been deployed, the receptacle part of lhc back cannot be accessed. Ill clothing, it is often the case that the garment simply comprises a slowabJe hood but docs not comprise any further protection that is specific to the anatomy of a person or animal.

STATKMCNTS OF I VENTION The invention is directed to a garment comprising at least one pocket and at least one stowable section, wherein the stowable section has a first poshjon %vh in the pocket and a second position extended from the garment, wherein the garment is wearable m the first position, and wherein, when in the second position, the stowable section covers at least part of one limb and/or al least part of the torso of a user. The use of al least one stowable section allows the device to be worn as a regular item, for example a waist-coat or sleeveless jacket, with the additional advantage of being able to deploy one or more stowed sections to allow (lie item to be converted into a more protective item.

Preferably, the garment comprises ul least two mm -horizontal pockets, each pocket being provided with a respective stowable section, wherein the stowablc sections bave a first position within Lhe respective pocket and a second position extended from the garment, wherein, when in the second position, the stowablc sections cover two or more body parts selected from a group comprising: a first limb; a second Ijmb, a head; a buck; a first side of a torso; and a second side uf a torso.

The use of non-horizontal pockets allows the stowable sections to be deployed latitudmally to envelop the wearer. The stowable sections may be connected to the user's arms or wrists using clastic loops or hook-and-eye fasteners. Advantageously, the al least one stowable section is adapted to provide at least one of a group comprising: thermal insulation; reflective material; water-resistant material; camouflage; UV resistance; and a costume. The garment being adapted for one or more of the above allows a user to be prepared lor changing environments whilst only taking or wearing a single garment that is convertible to provide protection when necessary. For example, the garment may comprise stowable sections to protect a user's head and limbs, Tor example having the stowable sections adapted to be a hood section and arm covers, which can provide protection against ultraviolet radiation in sunny conditions. Additionally, the device may be useful for work-wear when the weather gets cold or wet and the user requires increased visibility and thermal insulation. Alternatively, or additionally, the stowable section may be inflatable. This is particularly advantageous where the garment may be in the form of beach wear. The inflatable sections may also be self-inflating upon contact with water. IL is preferably that the at least one pocket is releasably sellable. This reduces the risk of the stowable section from deploying when it is not required. The sealing means may be in the form of a zipper, hook-and-eye fasteners, bullous, poppers or other sealing mechanisms.

In an advantageous embodiment, the garment comprises means for engaging the torso, waist and/or Ihc shoulders of a user, which may be via shoulder straps or wherein, when in the first position, the garment comprises & waistcoat. Tills allows (he garment to he worn hy a user in a normal manner,

Preferably, the at least one stowable section comprises at least one of a blanket portion and a thermally insulating foil blanket.

Advantageously, the garment comprises a high-visibility vest and the at least one stowable sceiion comprises at least one reflective arm cover. This allows the garment lo be used in environments where the user may need increased visibility, for example when it gels dark or overcast.

The garment may comprise a t-shirt. This can be worn and then adapted when thermal or UV protection might be desirable.

It may be that the garment comprises at least one flexible chalkboard section. This allows users to write on the chalkboard section, which may be particularly useful for marketing or for entertainment.

In one arrangement, the garment comprises a. character costume. This allows a user to receive a 'hug' from the garment when deploying a chosen character. Children,, in particulaj', may enjoy wearing a character, especially where it can then envelop them to give them a reassuring feeling or a cuddle. The pocket is positioned the intended rear of Ihe garment, when worn, either in a horizontal posilion, but more preferably a non-horizont l or vertical position. Hie latter reduces the risk of the stowable section becoming twisted upon deployment and thus reduces the forces on the stowable section, thereby reducing the risk of damage.

A. garment according to any preceding claim, wherein Hie garment further comprise a scalable bag section positioned between the two pockets.

The invention may comprise a bag or rucksack, having at least two non-horizontal pockets positioned at the edges, or periphery, of the bag, the pockets having stowable sections therein. The openings of the pockets may be substantial ly vertical, when the article is worn or at an angle thereto. This allows the bag to be used as a normal rucksack with the additional benefit thai the stowable sections may be deployed without obstructing access to tine bag. The arrangement provides the further advantage that the stowable sections, when stowed within the pockets do not impinge on the user's comfort when silling whilst wearing the bag because they arc ai the periphery of the bag rattier than in the central region. Alternatively, the non-hocizonial pockets could be positioned in the central section with the stowable sections being extendible from the two vertical storage pockei opening* in the rear side. The device may further comprise a dilaianl non-Newtonian fluid, such as a plastics material, to provide impact protection. For example, the device may be a sleeveless high-visibility garment, wherein the stowable sections comprise impact absorbing non-Ncwionian plastics material, in such an arrangement the stowable sections may be deployed where there is a risk of impact and Stowed when in transit. Additionally, Or alternatively, the main body or ihe garment may comprise the non-Ncwlonian plastics material. This provides impact protection as well as potential thermal protection and increased visibility levels when the stowable sections ai¾ deployed. BRTRF DESCRIPTION OF T TF, ILLUSTRATIONS:

The system and exemplary embodiments employing the system are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure I is a series of illustrations of an exemplary jacket having left and right decorative or thermal flaps stowable in and extendible from storage pockets in the jacket's rear side;

Figure 2 is a scries of ill u titrati ns of an uxemptary sweatshirt having loft and right decorative or thermal flaps stowable in and extendible from storage pockets in the sweatshirt's rear side;

Figure 3 is a series of illustrations of fin exemplary runner's vest having left and right reflective or wind-breaking flaps stowable in and extendible from storage pockets in the vest's rear side; Figure 4 is a scries of illustrations of an exemplary worker's thermal vest having flaps stowable in and extendible from storage pockets in the vest's rear side;

fi ure 5 is a scries οΓ illustrations of ait exemplary tec shirt having left and right decorative or thermal flaps stowable in and extendible from vertical storage pockets in the shirt's rear side;

Figure 6 is a series of illustrations of exemplary sack packs having left and right decorative flaps stowable in and extendible from storage pockets in the sack packs' rear sides;

Figure 7 is a series of illustrations of chatk board pack that converts into a chalk mat;

Figure 8 is a series of illustrations of vests with pull-out flag;

Figure 9 is a series of illustrations of additional vests with pull-out flag banners

Figure 10 is a scries of illustrations of a further embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 11 series of illustrations of yet a further embodiment of the present invention.

DKSCRTPTION ΟΓ ΊΊ-ΙΓ. SYSTEM AND EMPLOYING EM ODI E TS:

As appreciated by review of the included Figures, the invention may be embodied in or practiced using various convertible wearable articles having features that may be deployed onl when needed, but are normally stowed for compactness, coverlness, or to protect the articles or stowable sections. Preferably, the features are slowed in places on the article where they do not interfere with usual activities, such as on the rear side of the article and at tlie sides or periphery thereof. Preferably, the stowed features are tucked into pockets on the rear side of tlie article. The stowed features are preferably pulled from the pockets and extended hen needed for any of a variety of uses, such as to form part of a Costume or lo provide added warmth or visibility. The pockets may or may not be closeuble with zippers, hook-and-eye type fastening, or some other fastening means, according to the need to secure the feature within the article, the cost of the article, or other such considerations.

It should be appreciated that not all features could be shown in i ll detail in all illustrations_* and thai the various embodiments have may features in common which are not always shown. It is therefore intended thai unshown aspects of one embodiment ma or do mimic those aspects shown in other embodiments.

As exemplified, the articles may i nclude one or more of a stowablc/cxtendible hood, siowable/extendiblc flaps for wrapping Ibiwcrdly around ihe sides and from of the user's body, stowablc sleeves for covering the user's arms, thermal or wind-breaking panels for wrapping the user's body, stowablc wings or other such appendages for enhancing a costume, stowablc decorative eleme ts Ibr selective display, and stowablc high-visibility elements for selective display.

A first exemplary embodiment may include a backpack/costume useful for "Trick-or-Trcating" on Halloween. The article serves as both a costume and as a means for carrying such things as collected candy, a flashlight, or additional clothing. The backpack is brightly colored in Halloween orange and black, and is decorated with Jack-o- 1 jurtcrns to make it clear to others, such as by-passing motorists, that "Trick-or-Treaters" are active and that added caution should be taken.

The backpack and its various stowablc features are made of a tear resistant and reflective nylon fabric. Jt includes a zippered storage pouch having shoulder straps on its front side. The backpack is worn on the user's back while the shoulder straps arc wrapped ibrwardly over the user's shoulders and secured. Alternative securemcnt means may comprise Straps that may be crossed over the front of the user, wheo worn. A hood and left and right side flaps extend from the top and sides, respectively of the pouch and may be hidden within pockets that project inwardly through or extend outwardly from s lots in the top and sides, respectively, of the pouch. The pockets are each a hollow portion oTiJic associated hood or flap, sewn peripherally to the pouch slots at their near ends and sewn linearly to the remainder of the associated hood or flap at its distal end. When inverted and pushed into the pouch through associated slot the distal end of the pocket may receive (he remainder of the hood or flap to hide the stowed hood or flap in the pouch without unzippering the pouch and without regard for the other contents of the pouch.

As desired, the hood and/or the side flaps may be pulled from the pouch with the pockets; the hood being pulled up over the user's head and the side (laps being pulled forwardly over the user's shoulders and wrapped around the front of the user's abdomen. VeleroOS-typc "hook & loop" fasteners on each are engaged at the user's chest to secure tlic flaps around the user to provide both warmth and additional visibility, and to complete the costume effect of the article.

Figure 1 depicts a jacket having u pair of slots in its back side through which are accessed storage pockets for holding a pair of slowed thermal blankets. The distal ends of the blankets may be pulled from the pockets while tlic near ends remain attached at the slots, and tlic blankets may be pulled l rwaTdly and wrapped around the user s torso to provide additional warmth when the jacket alone is insufficient. The slots may include zippers for preventing inadvertent release of the blankets and for improved styling.

Figure 2 shows a hooded sweatshirt employing the same feature as the jacket above, while also showing that the blankets may be decorative, instead or in addition to being thermal. Such an article would be particularly useful to a sports fan, who may display his team allegiance at the same time as he improves his comfort. For instance, if a fan attends an away game, he may not wish to display his allegiance outside of the stadium, but may do so only when he gets seated in die visiting section within the stadium. Or a parade watcher may selectively display his patriotism as he warms himself.

Figure 3 shows hi-visibilily vest to be worn by a runner, which includes wind-breaking blankets extendible from slots on the vest's rear side in the same manner as the jacket and sweatshirt above. The blankets may be marked for increased visibility, such as with the reflective stripes shown for night-running, of may be unmarked and just worn lo "-warm down" after a run.

Figure 4 shows a similar hi-visibility vest such as those worn by road workers, bul equipped wilh pull-out panels to increase visibility, provide rain protection, or for added warmth.

The drawings may also be interpreted to show a boater's life vest having pull-out panels to reduce hypothermia risk. The panels could be fluorescently colored or reflective to increase visibility for motorists or rescuers.

Figure 6 shows a backpack employing decorative wings thai may be similarly stowed and extended to selectively display one's patriotism or other allegiance.

Figure 7 shows a chalk board pack worn on a user's back. The user or others may draw on the chalk board on the back side, and panels may be pulled out of pockets on the sides of the pack and pulled around the user's body arid those arc also useable as chalkboards. Alternatively,, the extended array of chalk boards may be placed horizontally and used as a chalk mat.

The articles worn by participants in physical games in which extendible features, normally slowed in pockets on the rear side of the article, may be extended forwardly over the user's body to provide additional thermal or physical protection as needed.

Figures S and 9 show packs worn by users which include banners,, normally stowed in pockets on the rear side of the article, which may be extended to provide additional flair and to increase the size and amount of information intended to be provided, la this way, a demonstrator or marketer is able to wear a normal sized pack to and from an event while increasing his visibility and message threefold at the event.

Figures 10 and 1 1 show how the principle by which the garments and articles deploy. The garment 10 comprising a backpack section 12 having side scalable pockets 14 positioned in the edges of die garment 10. The garment 10 is further provided with adjustable siraps 16 lo engage the user. Slowable sections 18 are provided within the pockets 14 that can be deployed by unsealing the side pockets 14 and pulling the slowable sections 18 therefrom. I Jpon deploying, the stowable sections 1 8 may be attached to a user's limbs by listening means (not shown) and the stowable sections 1 8 can then, wrap around a user if they told their amis across their body. Alternatively, the stowable sections 18 may comprise fastening means such that when they have been deployed, ihe can wrap around the user and connect to one another without the need to engage a user's limbs, The stowable sections 18 may comprise a plurality of connection means to fasten to each other, for example, a connection under the user's chin and a further one lower down close to the user's naval. This ensures a good connection to keep the slowable sections iti place when deployed.

Clearly, when stowing the deployablc sections 1 8, the user inserts them into the pockets 14 and seals the pockets in a reverse fashion to deploying them. The article or garment 10 may further comprise a hood section 20. The hood section 20 is arranged between the user and the opening to the backpack section 12 so that, when deployed, the hood section 20 does not restrict access to the backpack section 12.

It may be desirable to have the pockets in a vertical or angled arrangement according to the shape of the stowable section. Non-horizontal pocket openings allow Ihe stowable section lo be deployed without twisting the section deployed.

The stowable sections may comprise flags, marketing material, photographs of people or places, support for sport teams, badges of allegiance or other items.

In respect of the orientation of the pockets, "non-horizontal" is intended the mean that when die garment is worn, the pocket openings are not parallel with the user's shoulders. Therefore, the opening to the poeketfs) may be at an angle between the horizontal and vertical or it may be vertical. One could consider the 'vertical' alignment to mean that the pockct(s) arc parallel with the side-seams of the garment, The pocket is intended to extend inwards from the opening but it may be angled lhcrewiih, if required, for example for maximizing space. In such a situation., it h the pocket opening that is consider to be the orientation of the pocket.

The invention may cxlend to a plurality of horizontal pockets and the deployable sections may extend therefrom.

Claims

Claims

1. A garment comprising at least one pocket and at least one stowable section, wherein the stowable section has a llrsL positio within the pocket and a second position extended from the garment, wherein the garment is wearable in the first position, and wherein, when in the second position, the sLowable section covers at least part of one limb and/or at least part of the torso of a user. 2. Λ garment according to claim I, wherein the garment comprises at least two non- horizontal pockets, each pocket being provided with a respective stowable section, wherein the stowable sections have a first position within the respective pocket and n second position extended lrom the garment, wherein, when in the second position, the stowable sections cover two or more body parts selected from a group comprising: a first limb; a second limb, a head; a back; a first side of a torso; and a second side of a torso.

3. A garment according lo claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the stowable section is adapted to provide at least one of a group comprising: thermal insulation; reflective materia]; water-resistant material; UV resistance; camouflage; and a costume.

4. Λ garment according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the pockets are situated adj acent the peri phery of the garni ent.

5. Λ garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the pocket is releasably sealable.

6. Λ garment according to any preceding claim, wherein ihe garment comprises means for engaging the torso,, waisi and/or the shoulders of a user.

7. Λ garment according to claim 6, wherein the garment comprises shoulder straps.

8. A garment according to claim 5, wherein, when in the first position, the gaciuenj comprises a waistcoat.

9. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one slowable section comprises a blanket portion.

10. Λ garment according to claim 9, wherein the blanket portion comprises a thermally insulating toil blanket. I I. Λ garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the garment comprises a high- visibilily vest and the at least one stowable section comprises at least one reflective arm cover.

12. Λ garment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the garment comprises a t- shirt.

13. Λ garment according to any one of claims 1 to ) 0, wherein the garment comprises at least one flexible chalkboard section

14. A garment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the garment comprises a character costume.

15. Λ garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the garment further comprise a seiduble bag section positioned between the two pockets.