DEVICE FOR PROTECTING PANTS AND OTHER GARMENTS FROM EXPOSURE TO RAIN AND OTHER CONDENSATION

Abstract

A device for protecting a portion of a person's pant leg and shoe from exposure to rain is disclosed. The device includes a waterproof sheath for encasing a portion of the pant leg, the water-resistant sheath having an upper edge opposite a lower edge, and a front panel opposite a back panel, or alternatively of unibody construction encasing the entire leg. The upper edge of the sheath includes a lip for compressing against the pant leg. A stirrup attached to the lower edge of the sheath is included, the stirrup passing underneath a person's shoe or foot to secure the lower edge of the sheath to a lower portion of the pant leg. In a rainy environment, the device covers a person's lower pant leg to prevent the pant leg and/or the person's shoe from exposure to rain and other condensation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a protective gear or an outer garment. More specific, the present invention relates to a novel protective gear for wearing over a person's pants to protect against rain and other condensation.

BACKGROUND

Umbrellas are well known for protecting a person who must go outside in a rainy environment from becoming soaked by the rain. Umbrellas cast a wide shield over the person's head such that rain does not strike the person's head and portions of the person's upper body.

It is well known that umbrellas offer little protection against the rain as to the person's pants, particularly the lower portion of the pant leg covering a person's shins. This is particularly noticeable in heavy downpours or when rain is accompanied by wind such that the rain strikes a person at an angle. In such a downpour, the rain almost certain penetrates and soaks the lower pant legs of a person, and potentially the socks and upper portions of a person's shoes.

None of the conventional rain gear prevents excessive exposure to rain against a person's lower pant legs and/or shoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, an example embodiment of a protective gear is disclosed for protecting a portion of a person's pant leg and shoe from exposure to rain is disclosed. The device includes a waterproof sheath for encasing a portion of the pant leg, the water-resistant sheath having an upper edge opposite a lower edge, and a front panel opposite a back panel. The upper edge of the sheath includes a lip for compressing against the pant leg. A stirrup attached to the lower edge of the sheath is included, the stirrup passing underneath a person's shoe or foot to secure the lower edge of the sheath to a lower portion of the pant leg. In a rainy environment, the device covers a person's lower pant leg to prevent the pant leg and/or the person's shoe from exposure to rain and other condensation.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the protective gear described herein may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the protective gear described herein;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a lower portion of the protective gear described herein, wherein the protective gear affixes around a person's shoe;

FIG. 3A depicts a side view of an upper portion of the protective gear described herein, according to one embodiment of the claimed invention, wherein the protective gear affixes to a person's pant or leg;

FIG. 3B depicts a side view of an upper portion of the protective gear described herein, according to another embodiment of the claimed invention, wherein the protective gear affixes to a person's pant or leg;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the protective gear when being worn on a person's legs, the protective gear demonstrating branding and/or sponsorships;

FIG. 5A depicts one embodiment of a bottom attachment of the protective gear of the present invention; and

FIG. 5B depicts another embodiment of a bottom attachment of the protective gear of the present invention.

A skilled artisan will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as others, upon considering the following Detailed Description of certain non-limiting embodiments of the protective gear according to the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill also may comprehend certain of such additional details upon using the protective gear described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, in part, is directed to a water-resistant protective gear or an outer garment for covering a portion of a person's pant leg to protect a person's pant leg and shoe from exposure to rain and other condensation.

As shown in FIG. 1, a waterproof protective gear 10 is disclosed for encasing a portion of a person's pant leg 20 (FIGS. 3A and 3B). The protective gear 10 includes an upper edge 30 opposite a lower edge 40. The protective gear includes a front panel 50 that stretches around the front of a person's leg and is joined to a back panel opposite the front to form a bell-shaped enclosure that circumnavigates a person's leg. Alternatively, the front panel 50 may wrap around the entire leg and join with itself as a one-piece or unibody construction with a single seam. The upper edge 30 has a lip 60 (FIG. 3A) for compressing against a person's pant leg. A stirrup 70 is attached to the lower edge 40 for securing the lower edge of the protective gear 10 to a person's foot or shoe 80. The protective gear 10 typically is made from a lightweight plastic, vinyl, or polycarbonate, or other such waterproof and/or water-resistant material. For instance, the protective gear 10 may be made from material similar to a rain poncho or lightweight rain jacket. Alternatively, the protective gear 10 may be made from a rain-resistant fabric, such as materials typically used in lightweight rain jackets and/or wind breakers. Alternatively still, the protective gear 10 may be made from rubber, neoprene, leather, nylon, polyester, pongee and/or other water-resistant materials.

As shown in FIG. 2, a lower portion of the protective gear 10 is shown. The lower edge 40 has a stirrup 70 attached thereto, the stirrup 70 passing underneath a person's foot or shoe 80. The stirrup 70 may be a singular piece, as shown, that loops from one side of the lower edge 40 to the other. Alternatively, the stirrup 70 may be comprised of two pieces, such as straps or ties, that come down and join underneath a person's foot or shoe 80, or on the side of the person's foot, shoe, or leg. For instance, stirrup 70 may be comprised of two straps that connect together with hooks and loops (e.g., VELCRO®), buttons, snaps, and the like. Alternatively, the stirrup 70 may be comprised of two ties that are joined together with a knot. Stirrups 70 may be made of any durable and resilient fabric or material. In one embodiment, the stirrups 70 are made of a resilient elastomer, such as rubber or neoprene, or an elastic stretch band, which stretches to accommodate any size foot.

According to one embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown in FIG. 3A, the upper edge 30 of protective gear 10 includes a lip 60 that secures to a person's pant leg 20. The lip 60 is elastomeric to accommodate any size leg, wide or small. The lip 60 may be an elastic band, similar to a waist band, or may be woven with elastic threads, similar to the upper portion of a sock. Alternatively, the lip 60 may be a separate component, such as a rubber band, that passes over the upper edge 30 of the protective gear 10 to hold it against the pant leg 20.

According to another embodiment of the claimed invention, as shown in FIG. 3B, the upper edge 30 of protective gear 10 includes a drawstring 62 that secures to a person's pant leg 20. The drawstring has ends 64, 66 that are pulled to cinch the upper edge 30 comfortably snug against a person's leg, to accommodate any size leg, wide or small. The ends 64, 66 are tied to maintain the position of the upper edge 30 against a leg. The drawstring 62 preferably travels within the upper edge 30 of the protective gear 10, but also may travel outside of and on top of the protective gear 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the front panel 50 of the protective gear 10 may be decorated with the logos 90 of sponsors, or may include branding 100 of, for instance, an athletic team. The broad size of the front panel 50, which may feature such sponsorship, makes the protective gear 10 beneficial for use at any outdoor event, including but not limited to sporting events, such as a baseball game, or musical concerts, where intermittent rain may be an issue.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the stirrup 70 may attach to the protective gear 10 via a hook-and-loop connection 112, or similar, composed of hook mating surface 114 and loop mating surface 116. Connection 112 may be a VELCRO® fastener, or similar style of fastener, with mating surfaces 114, 116. This provides for an efficient fastening of the stirrup 70 after a person has pulled the protective gear 10 over the lower portion of the leg. A hook-and-loop connection 112 also provides for adjustment of the stirrup 70 to accommodate any size shoe or boot.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, the stirrup 70 may be attached to the protective gear 10 via a buckle 110, or similar fastener. This provides for an efficient fastening of the stirrup 70 after a person has pulled the protective gear 10 over the lower portion of the leg, and also provides for adjustment of the stirrup 70 to accommodate any size shoe or boot. Use of a buckle 110 also may provide for a more sophisticated look, which may be desirable depending on personal preferences. For instance, in this embodiment, the stirrup 70 may be made of a leather or leather-like material, for coupling with a brass or metallic buckle 110, for a more upscale appearance.

In use, a person slips on the protective gear 10 over a lower portion of the pant leg 20, generally over the shin area, affixing the upper edge 30 of the protective gear against the pant leg 20, and pulling the stirrup 70 underneath the person's foot or shoe 80. The protective gear 10 generally covers the lower portion of the person's pant leg 20 and potentially the shoe 80, thereby protecting the pant leg and shoe from excessive exposure to rain or other condensation, such as standing water on the ground that may be kicked up on the lower pant leg 20 as the person walks. The protective gear 10 may be removed when the person is no longer in the rainy environment, and dried by setting the protective gear 10 on a flat surface or hanging the protective gear 10 on a clothesline or similar device or surface. Once dry, the protective gear 10 can be folded up for storage in a small pouch, purse, or coat pocket.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended set of claims.

Claims

1. A device for protecting a portion of a person's pant leg and shoe from exposure to rain or other condensation, the device comprising: a waterproof sheath configured to encase at least a portion of the pant leg, the water-resistant sheath having an upper edge opposite a lower edge;the upper edge having a lip configured to compress against the pant leg; anda stirrup attached to the lower edge of the sheath, the stirrup configured to pass underneath a person's shoe or foot to secure the lower edge of the sheath to a lower portion of the pant leg.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the sheath is generally tubular shaped, having a single panel configured to encase a lower portion of the person's pant leg.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the sheath has a front panel opposite a back panel, the front and back panels configured to join together to envelop a lower portion of the person's leg.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the sheath has a front panel having a flat surface configured for the display of printed indicia.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the printed indicia relates to advertising material.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the lip at the upper edge has an elastomeric band, said band integrated within the upper edge of the sheath.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the lip at the upper edge has an elastomeric band residing over the upper edge of the sheath.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a drawstring passing through the upper edge of the sheath, the drawstring configured to tighten the upper edge against the person's leg.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the stirrup is configured to pass from one side of the sheath, under the person's shoe, and attaches to the opposite side of the sheath.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the stirrup has two portions, each said portion attached to the sheath and configured to pass underneath the person's shoe to join together.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the stirrup portions are configured to join together with a hook-and-look fastener.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the stirrup portions are configured to join together with each portion being tied to one another.

13. A device for protecting a portion of a person's pant leg and shoe from exposure to rain or other condensation, the device comprising: a waterproof sheath configured to encase at least a portion of the pant leg, the water-resistant sheath having an upper edge opposite a lower edge;the upper edge having a lip configured to compress against the pant leg;a stirrup attached to the lower edge of the sheath, the stirrup configured to pass underneath a person's shoe or foot to secure the lower edge of the sheath to a lower portion of the pant leg; anda buckle attached to the stirrup to the lower edge of the sheath, wherein the buckle is configured to shorten or lengthen the stirrup.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the stirrup is configured to pass through and connect with the buckle in one of a plurality of positions, thereby changing the length of the stirrup to accommodate differing shoe sizes.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the stirrup is attached to the sheath at both ends with of a pair of buckles.

16. A device for protecting a portion of a person's pant leg and shoe from exposure to rain or other condensation, the device comprising: a waterproof sheath configured to encase at least a portion of the pant leg, the water-resistant sheath having an upper edge opposite a lower edge;the upper edge having a lip configured to compress against the pant leg;a stirrup attached to the lower edge of the sheath, the stirrup configured to pass underneath a person's shoe or foot and to secure the lower edge of the sheath to a lower portion of the pant leg; anda hook-and-loop fastener attaching the stirrup to the lower edge of the sheath, wherein the fastener is configured to shorten or lengthen the stirrup.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the stirrup connects with the sheath with the hook-and-loop fastener in one of a plurality of positions, thereby changing the length of the stirrup to accommodate differing shoe sizes.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein the stirrup is attached to the sheath at both ends with a pair of hook-and-loop fasteners.