Patent Application
20240074516
The present invention relates generally to articles of clothing, and more particularly to a garment system having a plurality of interchangeable sections to form a plurality of different outfits.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
In today's fashion-conscious environment, individuals seek uniqueness when it comes to clothing. Although most individuals purchase off-the-rack clothing for everyday wear, many individuals long for a way to put their own personality into the clothing they wear. Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do to a garment before you either damage it or become bored with it. As such, it is not uncommon for individuals to discard perfectly good clothing before the end of its useful lifespan simply because they no longer like the way it looks and/or because it does not suit the style or season.
As such, many users would like the ability to change various aspects of their clothing to suit different occasions. For example, changing a favorite skirt into a long dress, changing a long-sleeve shirt to a short sleeve shirt, and/or going from a full body shirt to a midriff-type shirt. Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to achieve these goals without cutting or sewing into the garments. As such, users must often purchase many variations of the same design in order to wear them for different occasions. Such a process is expensive and utilizes duplicative resources.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a garment system having any number of interchangeable sections which can be selectively pieced together to allow a user to repeatedly create and wear a custom clothing combination, thereby alleviating the above noted concerns.
The present invention is directed to an interchangeable garment system. One embodiment of the present invention can include an upper body kit forming a shirt body for removably connecting to a middle torso section, a plurality of long sleeve sections and a plurality of short sleeve sections to form up to eight custom garments.
The present invention can also include a lower body kit forming a trouser body for removably connecting to a plurality of long pant sections and a plurality of short pant sections to form up to four custom garments. The present invention can also include another lower body kit forming a skirt body for removably connecting to a lower leg section to form up to two custom garments.
Another embodiment of the present invention can include the ability to connect the upper body kit to one of the two lower body kits to create a plurality of jumpsuit and dress garments.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
As described herein, a “unit” and “outfit” means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.
As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.
As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.
As described herein, “an upper body portion” of a user means the area of a human body between the neck and waist, likewise, the “lower body portion” of a user means the area at and beneath the waist of a human extending along a portion or an entirety of the user's legs.
As shown and described herein, the garment system can include any number of individual garment sections such as upper body sections, arm sections, middle body sections lower body sections and/or leg sections which can be selectively joined together to form a finished outfit. To this end, users can easily create custom outfits to suit any occasion or environmental concerns (e.g., hot or cold weather) from a single series of panels.
In the preferred embodiment, the garment system can be provided in individual kits each having one or more garment sections for a specific portion of the body. To this end, users can obtain different kits having identical or different decorative elements, shapes, ‘or sizes, and can selectively join any number of individual sections together to create fully user-customizable outfits.
As described herein, the releasable seams 15 can each include components which work together to removably join two items together. In various embodiments, the releasable seams can include a slide fastener (zipper) having a reversible slide which can be operated from both the inside and outside directions of the selected garment sections. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein other releasable seams such as hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO), compression fittings, buttons, tie strings, straps and/or magnetic elements, which can be sewn into or onto the periphery of the fabrics are also utilized.
Additionally, each of the garments may include a flap that is positioned adjacent to the releasable seam. The flap can consist of additional material extending from the garment adjacent to the seam which functions to completely cover/hide the seam. Such a feature ensures the seams do not affect the aesthetics of the garment, and to prevent the seams from making direct contact with the skin of the user, thereby ensuring absolute comfort to the user wearing the garment.
As shown at
In one embodiment, the upper body kit can also include a left side short sleeve section 22 and a right-side short sleeve section 22′, respectively, which can be mated with the upper torso section to form a short-sleeved shirt. To this end, the left short sleeve section can include a tubular body panel 22a, a first opening 22b, and a second opening 22c. Likewise, the right-side short sleeve section 22′ can include a tubular body panel 22a′, a first opening 22b′, and a second opening 22c′.
As shown, a releasable seam 15 can be positioned along the first openings 22b and 22b′ to selectively join the short sleeve section onto one of the arm openings of an upper torso section. In the preferred embodiment, the short sleeve panel will be manufactured in accordance with industry standard sizing information (e.g., small, medium, large, XL, etc.), so as to extend from the shoulder to a location adjacent to the elbow of a wearer.
In one embodiment, the upper body kit can also include a left and right long sleeve section 23 and 23′, respectively, which can be mated with the upper torso section to form a long-sleeved shirt. To this end, the left long sleeve section can include an elongated tubular body panel 23a, a first opening 23b, and a second opening 23c. Likewise, the right long sleeve section can include an elongated tubular body panel 23a′, a first opening 23b′, and a second opening 23c′.
As shown, a releasable seam 15 can be positioned along the first openings 23b and 23b′ to selectively join the long sleeve section onto one of the arm openings of an upper torso section. In the preferred embodiment, the short sleeve panel will be manufactured in accordance with industry standard sizing information (e.g., small, medium, large, XL, etc.), so as to extend from the shoulder to the wrist of a wearer. Of course, other shapes and sizes are also contemplated.
In one embodiment, the upper body kit 20 can include a middle torso section 24 having a continuous body panel 24a, a top opening 24b and a bottom opening 24c. Releasable seams 15 can be positioned along the inside or outside periphery of the openings 24b and 24c and can engage the releasable seams of other sections.
For example, when the top opening 24b of the middle torso section is engaged with the upper torso section the finished garment can go from a half shirt to a full-length shirt. Likewise, when the bottom opening 24c of the middle torso section is engaged with the lower body sections described below, the finished garment can comprise a jumpsuit or a dress.
In either instance, the middle torso section will be manufactured in accordance with industry standard sizing information (e.g., small, medium, large, XL, etc.), so as to be positionable about the waist area of a wearer. Of course, other shapes and sizes are also contemplated.
As shown best at
In one embodiment, the lower body kit can also include left and right short pant sections 32 and 32′, which can be mated with the lower body section 31 to form a pair of short pants (i.e., shorts). To this end, the left short pant section can include a tubular body panel 32a, a first opening 32b, and a second opening 32c. Likewise, the right short pant section can include a tubular body panel 32a′, a first opening 32b′, and a second opening 32c′.
As shown, releasable seams 15 can be positioned along the first openings 32b and 32b′ to selectively join the short pant sections onto one of the leg openings of a lower body section. In the preferred embodiment, the short pant sections will be manufactured in accordance with industry standard sizing information (e.g., small, medium, large, XL, etc), so as to extend from the thigh to a location adjacent to the knee of a wearer. Of course, other shapes and sizes are also contemplated.
In one embodiment, the lower body kit can also include left and right long pant sections 33 and 33′, which can be mated with the lower body section 31 to form a pair of long pants. To this end, the left side long pant section can include an elongated tubular body panel 33a, a first opening 33b, and a second opening 33c. Likewise, the right long pant section can include an elongated tubular body panel 33a′, a first opening 33b′, and a second opening 33c′.
As shown, a releasable seam 15 can be positioned along the first openings 33b and 33b′ to selectively join the long pant sections onto one of the leg openings of a lower body section. In the preferred embodiment, the long pant sections will be manufactured in accordance with industry standard sizing information (e.g., small, medium, large, XL, etc. and/or as a specific length 38″, 39″, 40″ . . . etc.), so as to extend from the thigh of a wearer to a location adjacent to the wearer's ankles. Of course, other shapes and sizes are also contemplated.
As shown best at
In one embodiment, the tubular lower body kit can also include a lower leg section 42 having a tubular body 42a, a top opening 42b and a bottom opening 42c. A releasable seam 15 can be positioned along the inside or outside periphery of the top opening 42b to permit the lower leg section to be removably secured to the leg opening of the tubular lower body section 41. Such a feature allows a user to increase the length of the garment from a short skirt extending at or above the wearers knees to a long skirt extending below the wearer's knees.
In this regard, when the tubular body kit is combined with a single upper body kit, a user is able to create up to 24 unique garments: A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H each with a short skirt (41); A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H each with a long skirt (41 and 42), B, D, F, H attached to 41 to create a short dress, and B, D, F, H attached to 41 and 42 to create a long dress.
Although described above with regard to specific components secured at specific locations along the respective body sections, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, those of skill in the art will recognize that both the upper body garments and lower body garments may be constructed from any number of different panels and sections which may be secured together at different locations than those illustrated. As such, the inventive concepts described above can be utilized to form virtually any type of garment such as kaftan's, sweaters, and jackets, for example.
Although not specifically illustrated, other embodiments are also contemplated wherein the individual front and back panels of a single garment section can be removably joined together and can be selectively joined with the back and front panels of a second garment, respectively. Such a feature allows a user to create custom garments wherein the entire front and back panels are interchangeable, so as to achieve a completely custom look.
In either instance, each of the clothing sections described above may be manufactured from any number of different fabrics suitable for direct contact with human skin such as cotton, silk, leather, flannel, polyester, etc. Likewise, each section may be provided in any number of different sizes suitable for conforming to different body shapes and sizes as is known in the art. Additionally, each section can be adorned with any number of different decorative elements such as various markings, designs, patterns, colors, buttons and/or materials.
In addition to allowing users to mix and match clothing sections based on the decorative elements, the system advantageously allows users to mix and match different sized garment sections with others to create custom-fitting outfits. For example, individuals with a large belly and a small torso could secure an extra-large middle torso section with a small or medium sized upper body section to make a custom fitting shirt. Of course, any number of different garment sections and sizes can be combined to make an unlimited number of different custom garments.
As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
As described herein, one or more elements of the device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 63/403,164 filed on Sep. 1, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63403164 | Sep 2022 | US |
