Patent Application
20210145092
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of garments of existing art and more specifically relates to garments convertible into other articles.
Many individuals in modern society wear garments for warmth and fashion. People wearing a coat or jacket may become too warm while away from home. The coat or jacket is removed and must be carried in some fashion, whether carried by hand or jammed into a backpack or other storage bag. Carrying a coat or jacket by hand can be annoying and frustrating, leaving only one hand free for other tasks. People may end up suffering through discomfort and wear their jacket through warm environments to avoid carrying it. A suitable solution is desired.
U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0318878 to Joan Grace Warren relates to a tote coat. The described tote coat includes a portable and collapsible combined coat and blanket and item bag for an infant, alternately able to function as clothing or changing pad or swaddling, having the advantages of minimizing quantity of items which must be carried in order to bring a child and necessary items away from a home, such as to do errands, and simplifying the number of steps necessary to perform changing of a diaper, as well as to adjust clothing or access items, in order to accommodate the needs of a child.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known garments art, the present disclosure provides a novel tote coat system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effective tote coat system and method.
The present invention provides users with an attachable strap which, when slung across the chest, allows for hands-free carrying of a clothing garment when it is not worn. The coat tote has suspender clasps on each end so that it can be attached to the inside back panel of a coat. The device features small holes or slits on the ends, enabling the strap to be secured to a coat, jacket, or other garment via snaps, buttons, clasps, or other fastener mechanisms. The strap is concealed in the back of the coat while the person is wearing the coat. It attaches to the back panel of a coat or jacket via the fastener mechanisms. The device allows users to transport clothing garments without having to stuff it inside a backpack, purse, etc. or having to carry the jacket in hand. The present invention offers a much simpler and more convenient method of transporting clothing garments. The coat tote in preferred embodiments does not turn the coat in a duffel bag type garment. Further, the device may comprise pockets for money, credit cards, and cell phone, and a grommet where a person can attach a water bottle. The strap does not turn the coat into anything. The invention comprises a strap that attaches to the inside of a person's garment, then the garment is worn, with the strap in the back of the coat, not seen. When the person wants to take the coat off, they can use the strap attached to the back as a means to carry the coat (strap across the chest) with the coat simply hanging behind them, instead of carried or tied around the waist.
When wearing the coat and you don't see the strap, is because the strap is attached inside the coat. If a person gets a fancy strap (with sport team logo, or favorite superhero for example), then the wearer-user can absolutely show the strap; otherwise, there is no need to show it while wearing the coat. The strap is similar to seatbelt material, and approximately the same width made with a pocket of a stretch material, so people can keep credit cards and cash, a similar pocket for a cell phone, and even a grommet, where a person wearing the strap can attach a water bottle.
A tote coat system is disclosed herein comprising: a strap member defined by a body having a front side; a back side; a first end; a second end; a length; and a thickness; at least one receiver-aperture; and at least one garment-attached fastener; wherein the length of the strap member is rectangular and the at least one receiver-aperture comprises a first receiver-aperture and a second receiver-aperture. In a preferred embodiment the first receiver-aperture is located proximate the first end and the second receiver-aperture is located proximate the second end. The at least one garment-attached fastener comprises a first garment-attached fastener and a second garment-attached fastener; wherein the first garment-attached fastener and the second garment-attached fastener are located inside the garment. As designed the strap member is removably attachable to a garment pre-use condition, in-use condition, and post-use condition via the at least one garment-attached fastener connected to the garment, during the in-use condition the garment is hands-free toted. The strap member is oriented cross-body when used; the garment generally an upper body garment such as a coat or the like.
According to another embodiment, a kit and a method of use for the tote coat system are also disclosed herein, the method comprising the steps of: providing the tote coat system comprising: a strap member defined by a body having a front side; a back side; a first end; a second end; a length; and a thickness; at least one receiver-aperture; and at least one garment-attached fastener; attaching the at least one garment-attached fastener inside the garment; and coupling the at least one garment-attached fastener to the at least one receiver-aperture for the pre-use condition. The method may further comprise the step of removing the garment and slinging the strap member as attached to the garment for the in-use condition comprising hands-free-use for carrying while not wearing the garment.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a tote coat system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to garments and more particularly to a tote coat system as used to improve the efficiency of garment carrying when the garment is not being worn.
Generally, Coat Tote is a strap that can be fastened to a coat, jacket, or other clothing garment via buttons, snaps, clamps, etc. and allows the garment to be carried in a hands-free manner when taken off. The system is intended to offer convenience when transporting clothing garments. The strap features small slits/holes on each end capable of receiving the fasteners. The fasteners can be applied to the interior of a coat or jacket, effectively securing the strap. The strap can be laid across the chest and can be shown as a fashion accessory or covered by zipping up the jacket. The strap may also be applied to the rear section of a clothing garment's interior, completely out of sight while the garment is worn. Users can simply remove their clothing garment and sling the strap across the chest to transport the garment in a hands-free manner. Coat Tote's strap can be constructed using nylon and other suitable materials while the garments may include coats, jackets, hoodies, and more. The strap may be available in various sizes, colors, and designs to accommodate all user needs and preferences. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
The at least one receiver-aperture 130 in preferred embodiments comprises a first receiver-aperture 132 and a second receiver-aperture 134; wherein the first receiver-aperture 132 is located (relationally-speaking) proximate the first end 117 and the second receiver-aperture 134 is located proximate the second end 118. The at least one garment-attached fastener 140 comprises a first garment-attached fastener 142 and a second garment-attached fastener 144. The first garment-attached fastener 142 and the second garment-attached fastener 144 are located inside the garment, as shown such that they are concealed and thus aesthetically pleasing. The first garment-attached fastener 142 is located inside a front top of the garment 102 and/or the first garment-attached fastener 142 is located inside a rear top of the garment 102. The second garment-attached fastener 144 is located inside a front bottom of the garment 102 and/or inside a rear bottom of the garment 102. The strap member 110 of the tote coat system 100 is oriented cross-body when used, as shown. The garment 102 generally referred to herein is an upper body garment such as a coat, sweater or the like.
The at least one receiver-aperture 130 may comprise a slit, hole or the like; wherein the at least one receiver-aperture 130 preferably comprises an aperture-stabilizer (metal support ring or the like). The tote coat system 100 may further comprising a connector 160 as shown in
According to one embodiment, the tote coat system 100 may be arranged as a kit. In particular, the tote coat system 100 may further include a set of instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the tote coat system 100 such that the tote coat system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.
A method for using the tote coat system 100 may include one or more components or features of the tote coat system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for using the tote coat system 100 may include the steps of providing the tote coat system as described herein; attaching the at least one garment-attached fastener inside the garment; and coupling the at least one garment-attached fastener to the at least one receiver-aperture for the pre-use condition. The method may further comprise the step of removing the garment and slinging the strap member as attached to the garment for the in-use condition comprising hands-free-use for carrying while not wearing the garment.
It should be noted that there may be optional steps which may not be implemented in all cases. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for use, are taught herein.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope 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 scientist, 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 present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/653,487 filed 5 Apr. 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
