WO2007097837A2

WO2007097837A2 - Wearable protective changing garment

Info

Publication number: WO2007097837A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/001016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cynthia A. Issel
Original assignee: Issel Cynthia A
Priority date: 2006-02-21
Filing date: 2007-01-16
Publication date: 2007-08-30
Also published as: US20070204375A1; WO2007097837A3; US20070266473A1

Abstract

A garment (10) is provided that allows a wearer to change clothes in privacy and can be comfortably worn for protection before, during, and after changing. Preferably, garment (10) contains two sides (12, 14) of partially absorbent material separated by a water resistant layer (16). Alternatively, garment (10) can include a partially absorbent interior layer and a substantially water resistant exterior layer. Garment (10) contains a hood (26), sleeves (24), and two apertures (32) that allow a wearer to reach underneath garment (10) to change clothes. Garment (10) can contain interior pockets (30) and exterior pockets (28) to store items and keep the wearer's hands protected. Garment (10) contains sufficient room underneath to enable a wearer to comfortably change clothes. Garment (10) can include a means (40) for securing garment (10) to a fixed object to facilitate drying. Garment (10) can also be folded up and stored within an enclosure (44) located within the interior of the garment (10).

Description

WEARABLE PROTECTIVE CHANGTNG GARMENT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of protective garments. More specifically, the preferred embodiment of the present invention involves a water-resistant, reversible, and lightweight garment that, when worn, allows a wearer to change clothes underneath in privacy, and can be comfortably worn for protection against climatic elements before or after changing occurs.

Background Art

Many outdoor activities generally require the use of special clothing to participate. For example, it is typically recommended that surfers and divers wear a wetsuit to keep the body protected from wind and cold water temperatures. After participating in such activities, one must often change clothing in a public facility or near other people to stay warm, drive home, or engage in other activities such as going to a restaurant or shopping. In many instances however, public facilities or private changing quarters are not available due to the remoteness of the location or the circumstances of the activity. For example, surfers may park on the side of a road far from a designated beach area with changing facilities, and hike down to the water to surf the biggest waves. Similarly, a diver on a crowded boat may be forced to wear a wet wetsuit for a prolonged period due to a limited availability of suitable changing facilities or if they are in between dives. Even in locations where changing facilities are available, such as designated beach areas, if the parking, surfing, and public facility locations are spaced far apart or in different directions, a person may be forced to walk considerable distances and spend valuable time to change clothes in a public facility. Thus, either in a location with or without suitable changing facilities, safely changing clothes in public can be difficult.

If no adequate facilities are available, changing clothes without accidentally exposing oneself can be a burdensome task. This task frequently involves one person holding a towel around another person to enable that person to change without exposing themselves. If no facilities and a second person are not available however, the options for changing clothes without public exposure are rather limited. A first option is for a person change in their car.

However this can be awkward and carries a heightened possibility of public exposure. Another option is to try to find a secluded place to change. However, this option might require walking a long distance and can present safety issues if a person is all alone in a remote area. A final option is to forego changing until reasonable changing facilities can be reached. This option, while not always available, often requires burdensome and repetitive travel, may involve getting in their vehicles with a wet wetsuit, is time consuming, and does not allow a person to change clothes to be immediately prepared to engage Ln other activities that are occurring in the same location or close by.

Previous garments have been designed to allow a person to change clothes in public places without exposing oneself to other people. These garments generally take the form of a wrap or robe consisting of water-absorbent material. While some have been effective in providing a certain degree of privacy during changing, the garments have not been designed to allow a person to comfortably wear the garment after changing has occurred to fully protect the person from the various elements of nature. For example, because these previous garments absorb water, a wearer of the damp garment after changing runs the risk of dampening the newly changed clothes and increases the possibility of becoming sick if windy or cold weather conditions are present. Further, previous garments do not cover a majority of the wearer's body, but rather expose certain parts of the wearer to cold, wind, or rain, increasing the risk of sickness and discomfort by the wearer. Additionally, previous garments have not contained a feature that allows a wearer to removably attach the garment to the side of a boat or other vessel when not being worn, to help facilitate the drying and storage of the garment.

Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide a water-resistant, reversible, and lightweight garment that, when worn, allows a wearer to change clothes underneath in privacy, and can be comfortably worn both before and after changing has occurred for protection against various climatic elements.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Disclosure of Invention The principle advantage of this invention is to provide a garment that can be worn to facilitate the changing of clothes in public places.

Another advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for changing clothes that allows a person to comfortably wear the garment in public places before or after the changing of clothing has occurred. Another advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for facilitating the changing clothes in public that contains water-resistant material.

Another advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for facilitating the changing clothes in public that is lightweight. And still another advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for changing clothes that allows a person to secure the garment to a surface while not in use.

And yet a further advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for changing clothes that allows a person to attach the garment to a surface to increase drying time.

And yet a further advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for changing clothes that contains an enclosure means attached to the garment for storing the garment when not in use.

And still a further advantage of this invention is to add a new and unique garment to the field of clothes changing garments.

These advantages, and other advantages of the invention, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure of the present invention as set forth herein.

The present invention involves a garment that allows a wearer to change clothes in privacy and can be comfortably worn for protection before, during, and after changing. Preferably, the garment contains two sides of partially absorbent material separated by a water resistant layer. Alternatively, the garment can include a partially absorbent interior layer and a substantially water resistant exterior layer. The garment contains a hood, sleeves, and two apertures that allow a wearer to reach underneath the garment to change clothes. The garment can contain interior and exterior pockets to store items and keep the wearer's hands protected. The garment contains sufficient room underneath to enable a wearer to comfortably change clothes. The present invention can include a means for securing the garment to a fixed object to facilitate drying. The garment can also be folded up and stored within an enclosure located within the interior of the garment.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain features of the invention so that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

Brief Description of Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of this invention. FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the wearable protective changing garment, partially exposing the interior portion, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG.2 depicts a front perspective view of a person wearing the wearable protective changing garment, constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG.3 depicts a back view of the wearable protective changing garment, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG.4A depicts a cross-section of the preferred embodiment of the fabric material, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG.4B depicts a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the fabric material, constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG.5 depicts a front view of an alternate embodiment of the wearable protective changing garment, partially exposing the interior portion to illustrate the garment enclosure means, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG.6 depicts a partially cut away perspective view of the wearable protective changing garment contained within the garment enclosure, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 a front view of the wearable protective changing garment 10, with a partially exposed interior region. In the preferred embodiment, wearable protective changing garment 10 contains an interior layer 12 and a surrounding exterior layer 14. Interior layer 12 and exterior layer 14 are separated by a dividing layer 16 (see FIG.4A). Interior layer 12, exterior layer 14, and dividing layer 16 can all be contained within one type of fabric or material having three separate layers, or can each be separate layers of fabric sewn or otherwise combined together to form a continuous piece of material. Interior layer 12 and exterior layer 14 can be comprised of either a substantially water absorbent material such as terry cloth, cotton, or other water absorbent material as would be deemed suitable by one with ordinary skill in the art, or a material that is partially water absorbent. However, interior layer 12 and exterior layer 14 can also be comprised of a completely water absorbent material. Dividing layer 16 is preferably comprised of a substantially water-resistant material such as neoprene, nylon, polypropylene, or other substantially water repellent material as would be deemed suitable by one with ordinary skill in the art. However, dividing layer 16 can also be comprised of a fully water-resistant material. In an alternative embodiment, wearable protective changing garment 10 can include an interior layer 12 and a surrounding exterior layer 14 (see FIG.4B), wherein interior layer 12 is comprised of a partially or substantially water absorbent material and exterior layer 14 is comprised of a substantially water resistant material, thereby eliminating a need for a dividing layer 16 comprised of a water resistant material. In the alternative embodiment, interior layer 12 can also be completely water absorbent and exterior layer 14 can also be completely water resistant.

Interior layer 12 and exterior layer 14 are shaped to form a body portion 18. Body portion 18 is generally defined by end seams 20 and bottom seam 22. Body portion 18 is preferably configured to cover the body of a wearer extending from the torso region down to the knees. Body portion 18 does not fit tightly against the body of a wearer, but rather is sufficiently sized so as to allow a wearer enough space underneath to maneuver hands and arms around to comfortably change clothes. Body portion 18 additionally includes sleeves 24. Sleeves 24 are preferably designed to extend from the shoulder region of a wearer to cover the entire arm area. However, in alternative embodiments, sleeves 24 can be designed to extend from the shoulder region midway down the arm to substantially cover only the upper arm area. Body portion 18 can also include a hood 26. Hood 26 is preferably incorporated seamlessly into the design of body portion 18. However, hood 26 can also be removably attached to body portion 18 by snaps, buttons, Velcro, zippers, or other means that provide removable attachment as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.

Body portion 18 also includes a set of exterior pockets 28 and can include a set of interior pockets 30. Exterior pockets 28 are attached to exterior layer 14. Interior pockets 30 are attached to interior layer 12. Exterior pockets 28 are preferably comprised of similar material as exterior layer 14, while interior pockets 30 are preferably comprised of similar material as interior layer 12. Exterior pockets 28 and interior pockets 30 serve to provide protection for the hands of a wearer against wind, cold, and rain, but also can provide storage areas for personal items such as wallets, keys, and cell phones. Exterior pockets 28 and interior pockets 30 are preferably positioned opposite one another on wearable protective changing garment 10. However, exterior pockets 28 can be positioned anywhere on outer layer 14 within hands' reach of the wearer and interior pockets 30 can similarly be positioned anywhere on interior layer 12 within hands' reach of the wearer. The positioning of interior pockets 30 directly opposite exterior pockets 28 allows convenient protection for the wearer's hands and storage capabilities for personal items once wearable protective changing garment 10 has been reversed after the changing of clothes has occurred. In the preferred embodiment of wearable protective changing garment 10, exterior pockets 28 and interior pockets 30 are of similar style and dimension. However, in alternate embodiments, exterior pockets 28 and interior pockets 30 can either be larger or smaller in dimension and can embody different styles of pockets.

Body portion 18 also includes a set of arm apertures 32 formed there within. Arm apertures 32 serve to allow an opening for the arms of a wearer to enter through to enable the wearer to remove a swimsuit, wetsuit, or other clothing apparel located underneath wearable protective changing garment 10 and change into other clothing apparel. Arm apertures 32 are preferably situated opposite one another within body portion 18, substantially adjacent to the openings of exterior pockets 28 and interior pockets 30. However, arm apertures 32 can be also positioned within the immediate opening region of exterior pockets 28 and interior pockets 30, thereby being substantially covered by the outer portion of both exterior pockets 28 and interior pockets 30. An alternate embodiment of wearable protective changing garment 10 can exclude interior pockets 30 to enable the positioning of arm apertures 32 more substantially within the opening of exterior pockets 28, providing more privacy and helping to prevent wind or rain from entering the interior region of the garment. Arm apertures 32 can range from a length of about 4" to 8" to enable arms of various sizes to fit within, while minimizing the risk that a wearer will inadvertently expose themselves to the public while changing.

Body portion 18 also includes a closure means 34 to allow a wearer to change clothes underneath in privacy and maintain warmth and protection from the elements after changing has occurred. Closure means 34 is preferably located on or extending from each of end seams 20, extending from bottom seam 20 to the lower boundary of hood 26. Closure means 34 can include buttons, snaps, hooks and fasteners, zippers, Velcro, or any other elements used for closing two ends of material as recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment, closure means 34 is comprised of a plurality of snaps that can be used to close body portion 18 when wearable protective changing garment is either in a normal position, with exterior pockets 28 being situated exterior to interior pockets 30, or in a reversed position, with exterior pockets 28 being situated interior to interior pockets 30.

As illustrated in FIG.2, there is seen a front perspective view of a typical wearer 36 of the preferred embodiment of wearable protective changing garment 10. Particularly shown are the spatial relationship and arrangement of body portion 18, sleeves 24, hood 26, exterior pockets 28, arm apertures 32, and closure means 34 to each other and wearer 36.

As illustrated in FlG.3, there is seen a back view of an alternate embodiment of wearable protective changing garment 10, particularly depicting an attachment means 38. Attachment means 38 extends from exterior layer 14 below the lower most boundary of hood 26 and can be comprised of a similar material as exterior layer 14. Attachment means 38 is preferably comprised of two short and narrow attachment sections 40 that can be joined together by a connection means 42 located on each attachment section 40. However, the size and shape of attachment sections 40 can vary as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. Connection means 42 is preferably a snap, but can be a more than one snap, a button, Velcro, a hook and loop, or other means used for attachment of fabric as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. Attachment means 38 allows a user to hang wearable protective changing garment 10 for storage or to aid in drying the garment when it is wet and not being used. Also, attachment means 38 allows a user to attach wearable protective garment 10 to a pole on a boat or other vessel, to prevent the garment from blowing away or falling to the ground while the boat or other vessel is in motion.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, there is seen a cross-section view of the preferred embodiment of the fabric for wearable protective changing garment 10, including an interior layer 12 and a surrounding exterior layer 14. Interior layer 12 and exterior layer 14 are separated by a dividing layer 16. It is to be noted that interior layer 12, exterior layer 14, and dividing layer 16 can all be contained within one type of fabric or material, or can each be separate layers of fabric sewn or otherwise combined together to form a one coherent piece of material. Interior layer 12 and exterior layer 14 can be comprised of either a substantially water absorbent material or a material that is partially water absorbent. However, interior layer 12 and exterior layer 14 can also be comprised of a completely water absorbent material. Dividing layer 16 is preferably comprised of a substantially water-resistant material, but can also be comprised of a fully water-resistant material. Dividing layer 16 ensures that water absorbed by interior layer 12 does not penetrate and significantly dampen exterior layer 14. The preferred configuration of the fabric material allows a wearer to use interior layer 12 to help dry off after changing out of a wetsuit or damp swimsuit. After a wearer has finished changing into dry clothes, the wearer can then reverse wearable protective changing garment 10 so that dry exterior layer 14 is contacting with the body of the wearer and the damp interior layer 12 is exposed to the environment. This capability helps interior layer 12 dry faster and allows the wearer to be protected from wind, rain, and cold after changing. Because exterior layer 14 can be comprised of water absorbent material, which can also be material that provides more warmth than water repellant material, a wearer is more likely to remain warm and comfortable with the fabric configuration of the preferred embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG.4B, there is seen a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of the fabric for wearable protective changing garment 10, including interior layer 12 and surrounding exterior layer 14. Interior layer 12 is generally comprised of a partially or substantially water absorbent material and exterior layer 14 is comprised of a substantially water resistant material, thereby eliminating a need for a dividing layer 16 comprised of a water resistant material. In the alternative embodiment, interior layer 12 can also be completely water absorbent and exterior layer 14 can also be completely water resistant.

In this embodiment, a wearer can also use interior layer 12 to help dry off after changing out of a wetsuit or damp swimsuit. After a wearer has finished changing into dry clothes, the wearer can then reverse wearable protective changing garment 10 so that dry exterior layer 14 is contacting with the body of the wearer and the damp interior layer 12 is exposed to the environment. This embodiment of the fabric configuration does not offer the warmth and comfort characteristics as the preferred embodiment does, as the exterior layer in the alternate embodiment is preferably comprised of a substantially water repellent material.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, there is seen a front view of an alternate embodiment of wearable protective changing garment 10 that includes a garment enclosure 44 attached to interior layer 12. Garment enclosure 44 is preferably sewn to interior layer 12 in such a fashion as to allow wearable protective changing garment 10 to be fully folded within and enclosed within garment enclosure 44. The preferred attachment of garment enclosure 44 to interior layer 12 is to sew the top edge 46 of one side of garment enclosure 44 to interior layer 12, so that the remaining edges of garment enclosure 44 remain free relative to interior layer 12. This allows the sides of wearable protective changing garment 10 to be folded inward and the bottom portion of wearable protective changing garment 10 to be folded upward and into garment enclosure 44. Garment enclosure 44 can be comprised of water repellent material such as neoprene, nylon, polypropylene, or other suitable water resistant material as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. Garment enclosure 44 contains a drawstring 48 located at the opening thereof, to enable a wearer to close garment enclosure 44 so that wearable protective changing garment 10 is protected during transport or storage. As illustrated in FIG.6, there is seen a partially cut away perspective view of wearable protective changing garment 10 contained within garment enclosure 44, with drawstring 48 in the open position.

With respect to the above description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within the scope of the present invention.

The above description, together with the objects of the invention and the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Industrial Applicability

This invention has applicability with respect to garments that allow a wearer to change clothes underneath in privacy. In particular, swimmers, surfers, divers, and other persons involved in activities involving wet conditions will find the different embodiments of the disclosed changing garment useful and applicable to allow for the changing of clothes in privacy as well as to provide a garment that can be comfortably worn for protection before, during, and after changing.

Claims

1. A protective garment that can be worn before, during, and after the changing of clothes comprising: a) a body portion, said body portion containing a partially absorbent interior layer of material and an exterior layer of material substantially surrounding said interior layer of material, said body portion defined by a bottom edge and two side edges, said two side edges being unattached to form a garment opening for the purpose of facilitating the placement of the garment on a wearer; b) at least two arm apertures formed within said body portion for the purpose of providing the wearer access to clothing underneath the garment; c) at least two sleeves formed within said body portion, said sleeves extending from said body portion to cover at least the upper arm portion of the wearer; d) at least two sets of pockets, one of said at least two set of pockets substantially adjacent to said interior layer of material, the other of said at least two sets of pockets substantially adjacent to said exterior layer of material; and e) means for closing said garment opening located on at least one of said two side edges whereby, while the wearer places her hands through said at least two arm apertures to access and remove wet clothing and change into dry clothing, said interior layer absorbs water and said exterior layer remains substantially dry, thereby allowing the wearer, after changing has occurred, to reverse the garment and wear the garment for protection, warmth, or leisure without dampening the newly changed dry clothes.

2. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein said interior layer and said exterior layer are separated by a water resistant layer.

3. The protective garment of claim 2, wherein said interior layer, said exterior layer, and said water resistant layer are contained within the same piece of material.

4. The protective garment of claim 2, wherein said exterior layer is comprised of a partially absorbent material.

5. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein said exterior layer is comprised of a substantially water resistant material.

6. The protective garment of claim 1 further comprising a hood attached to said interior layer of material and said exterior layer of material.

7. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein said means for closing said garment opening is at least two snaps. ^■

8. The protective garment of claim 1 further comprising a means for attachment located on said exterior layer for the purpose of allowing the garment to be hung or attached to a surface for drying or storage.

9. The protective garment of claim 8, wherein said means for attachment is comprised of two sections of material connected together by a means for connection.

10. The protective garment of claim 9, wherein said means for connection is at least one snap.

11. The protective garment of claim 1 further comprising an enclosure means attached to said interior layer for the purpose of providing protection for the garment during transport and storage.

12. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein said enclosure means is a pouch containing a drawstring closure located on the upper edge thereof.

13. The protective garment of claim 11, wherein said enclosure means is comprised of water resistant material.

14. A protective garment that can be worn before, during, and after the changing of clothes comprising: a) a body portion, said body portion containing a partially absorbent interior layer of material and an exterior layer of material substantially surrounding said interior layer of material, said body portion defined by a bottom edge and two side edges, said two side edges being unattached to form a garment opening for the purpose of facilitating the placement of the garment on a wearer; b) at least two arm apertures formed within said body portion for the purpose of providing an opening for hands and arms to pass there through; c) at least two sleeves formed within said body portion, said sleeves extending from said body portion to cover at least the upper arm portion of the wearer; d) at least one set of pockets, each of said at least one said of pockets positioned substantially adjacent to said exterior layer of material; e) means for closing said garment opening located on at least one of said two side edges; and f) means for attachment located on said exterior layer for the purpose of allowing the garment to be hung or attached to a surface for drying or storage whereby, while the wearer places her hands through said at least two arm apertures to access and remove wet clothing and change into dry clothing, said interior layer absorbs water and said exterior layer remains substantially dry, thereby allowing the wearer, after changing has occurred, to reverse the garment and wear the garment for protection, warmth, or leisure without dampening the newly changed dry clothes.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein said interior layer and said exterior layer are separated by a water resistant layer.

16. The protective garment of claim 15, wherein said interior layer, said exterior layer, and said water resistant layer are contained within the same piece of material.

17. The garment of claim 15, wherein said exterior layer is comprised of a partially absorbent material.

18. The garment of claim 14, wherein said exterior layer is comprised of a substantially water resistant material.

19. The garment of claim 14 further comprising an enclosure means attached to said interior layer for the purpose of providing protection for the garment during transport and storage.

20. A method for making a garment that can be worn during and after the changing of clothes comprising the steps of: a) providing a body portion, said body portion containing a partially absorbent interior layer of material and an exterior layer of material substantially surrounding said interior layer of material, said body portion defined by a bottom edge and two side edges, said two side edges being unattached to form a garment opening for the purpose of facilitating the placement of the garment on a wearer, said body portion containing at least two sleeves formed within the upper region thereof, each of said at least two sleeves extending from said body portion to cover at least the upper arm portion of a wearer, said body portion also containing at least two arm apertures formed within for the purpose of providing an opening for hands and arms to pass there through; b) providing at least two sets of pockets, one of said at least two set of pockets for attachment substantially adjacent to said interior layer of material, the other of said at least two sets of pockets for attachment substantially adjacent to said exterior layer of material; c) attaching one of said at least two set of pockets to said interior layer of material and the other of said at least two sets of pockets to said exterior layer of material; d) providing a means for closing said garment opening for attachment to said body portion; and e) attaching said means for closing said garment opening to said body portion.