Typical outerwear coats and jackets are formed to protect the torso, arms, and, in some instances, the head of a wearer from weather elements such as cold, wind, rain, snow, etc. Outerwear oftentimes includes pockets, which can be used to protect a wearer's hands when they are placed into the pockets. However, mobility of the wearer is limited when her hands are placed in pockets and if a wearer wishes to further protect their hands, the wearer generally must employ a separate hand covering such as a glove or mitten. In addition, hand coverings can easily be misplaced or forgotten leaving the wearer with cold or wet hands when no such hand coverings are available. Such issues are exasperated in the case of children who often forget their gloves or mittens.
An outerwear article comprises a sleeve and a hand covering. The sleeve defines and extends from a shoulder end and an open end. The sleeve includes a liner, an outer shell extending around the liner, and a pocket defined between the outer shell and the liner. The pocket has an opening on an inside of the sleeve and on a side of the pocket nearest the open end. The hand covering is sewn to the sleeve adjacent the opening via a seam line. The hand covering is rotatable about the seam line from a storage position within the pocket to a use position extending form the seam line out the open end of the sleeve to fit over a wearer's hand. Other outerwear articles, garment sleeves, assemblies, and methods of assembly are also contemplated.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
The following detailed description of the invention provides example embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. Relational terms herein such a first, second, top, bottom, etc. may be used herein solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying an actual such relationship or order. In addition, as used herein, the terms “about” or “substantially” apply to all numeric values or descriptive terms, respectively, and generally indicate a range of numbers or characteristics that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values or terms, that is, having the same function or results.
This innovation provides an outwear article with a hand covering attached thereto where the hand covering is selectively stored in a hidden interior pocket incorporated in a sleeve. The interior pocket is formed between an inner liner of the outerwear article and the outside shell of the outerwear article such that the inclusion of the interior pocket and the hand covering is generally hidden from view when the outerwear article is worn. More particularly, in one example, the pocket is positioned between two layer so liner interposed between the primary liner and the outer shell. In one embodiment, the interior pocket opens along a boundary between the liner and a cuff of the sleeve. The hand covering is stitched or otherwise coupled to the sleeve on one side thereof and open on the opposing side of the sleeve. In this manner, when the hand covering is pulled out of the interior pocket to extend from the bottom of the sleeve, the hand covering remains coupled to the sleeve, but open on one side to allow the wearer to move his/her hand into the hand covering.
In one embodiment, the hand covering and the sleeve include mating fastening mechanisms for selectively securing the free side of the hand covering to the sleeve when desired. In this manner, the hand covering is hidden from view during times of storage, and extends to receive a wearer's hand during times of use. Since the hand covering is secured to the sleeve, the wear will never find themselves without a hand covering when they are wearing the outerwear article.
Turning to the Figures,
More specifically, each sleeve 14 extends from a shoulder end 20 adjacent torso covering portion 12 to a bottom opening 22 with an arm-receiving channel extending therethrough and a cuff 24 extending around bottom opening 22. In one embodiment, an interior pocket 26 is formed in each of sleeves 14 and extends upwardly from cuff 24 into sleeve 14. Each interior pocket 26 is sized and shaped to selectively receive a corresponding one of the two hand coverings 16 in a manner substantially hidden from external view of coat 10 when coat 10 is worn by a wearer.
Sleeve 14 is formed of at least two layers including an interior liner 30 (see, e.g.,
Outer shell 32 is formed from a planar fabric and defines an exterior surface 36, e.g., a right side, and an interior surface 38, e.g., a wrong side, thereof. Opposing edges of outer shell 32 are sewn to one another either before or after positioning outer shell 32 about interior liner 30, forming outer shell 32 in a generally tubular manner, for example a frustoconical tube, extending from shoulder end 20 adjacent torso covering portion 12 (
Interior liner 30 is also assembled to be in a generally tubular, such as a frustoconically tubular shape, to fit within and to conceal interior surface 38 of outer shell 32. In one embodiment, interior liner 30 is formed to define interior pocket 26 with a pocket opening 62. For example, interior liner 30 includes a primary liner member 70 and a pocket panel 60, for instance, a pocket panel 60 formed of an interior pocket panel member 72 and an exterior pocket panel member 74. Primary liner member 70 forms the primary portion of interior liner 30 defining interior channel 34. Pocket panel 60 is sewn thereto to define interior pocket 26.
In one embodiment, primary liner member 70 is formed of substantially planar, but flexible material and generally defines a first side edge 76, a second side edge 78, and an opening edge 46. An interior-facing surface 82 is defined between first side edge 76, second side edge 78, and opening edge 40, and an exterior-facing surface 84, that is, an outer shell facing surface, is similarly formed facing in an opposite direction as interior-facing surface 82. In one example, primary liner member 70 includes a cut 86 extending from opening edge 80 inward into the interior of primary liner member 70. A fold-over portion 90 on one side of cut 86 is folded toward exterior-facing surface 84 to form a folded edge 88, for example, adjacent first side edge 76.
Interior pocket panel member 72 and exterior pocket panel member 74 are, in one example, formed of the same material as primary liner member 70. In one embodiment, interior pocket panel 72 and exterior pocket panel 74 are similarly sized and shaped to one another and are both formed of a similar substantially planar, but flexible, material. For example, interior pocket panel member 72 defines a first side edge 100, a second side edge 102, an opening edge 104, and a closed edge 106. Interior pocket panel member 72 is substantially planar and further defines an exterior facing surface 108 and an interior facing surface 110. Interior pocket panel member 72 is folded near opening edge 104 back upon itself so a portion of exterior facing surface 108 is adjacent a remainder of exterior facing surface 108 to define a folded edge 112.
During assembly, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading this application, primary liner member 70 is sewn to interior pocket panel member 72 adjacent each of folded edge 88 and folded edge 112, for instance along each of folded edges 88 and 112, to form a clean edge along pocket opening 62 inset from opening edge 46 of primary liner member 70 on the opposing side of cut 86, as will be understood by those of skill in the art upon reading this application. In one embodiment, pocket opening 62 is formed as a welt opening.
Exterior pocket panel member 74 is sized shaped and formed of a similar material as interior pocket panel member 72, in one embodiment, as described above. As such, in one example, exterior pocket panel 74 defines a first side edge 130, a second side edge 132, an opening edge 134, and a closed edge 136. Exterior pocket panel 74 is substantially planar and further defines an exterior facing surface 138 and an interior facing surface 140. During assembly, first side edge 130, second side edge 132, and closed edge 136 of exterior pocket panel member 74 are generally aligned with and sewn to first side edge 100, second side edge 102, and closed edge 106 of interior pocket panel member 72 via a perimeter pocket seam 142. In this manner, interior pocket 26 is formed between exterior pocket panel member 74 and interior pocket panel member 72 and is substantially covered on an interior side thereof by primary liner member 70. In one example, opening edge 80 of primary liner member 70 and opening edge 134 of exterior pocket panel 74 are positioned to be substantially co-linear with each other.
First side edge 76 and second side edge 78 of primary panel member 72 are then sewn together via elongated seam line 144 such that any seam allowances will face an exterior, that is, be opposite interior channel 34 or on the same side of primary liner member 70 as pocket panel 60. In one embodiment, interior liner 30 is fit within the tubular outer shell 32 of sleeve 14. In one example, sleeve 14 includes cuff 24 to finish off an end thereof that will be worn adjacent to wearer's hand 122 (
Cuff 24 is formed of a suitable fabric, for example, similar to outer shell 32 sewn in a circular manner and folded about fold edge 202 to form two layers 198 and 199 each having a free edge 200 opposite fold edge 202 that are aligned with each other. In one example, a length of elastic 204 is positioned in cuff 24 adjacent fold edge 202 and between the two layers 198 and 199 of cuff 24. One or more suitable coupling members, such as a male or female side of a snap indicated as snap member 208, one side of a hook-and-loop fastener, or other suitable coupling member, is secured to cuff 24, e.g., to face rearwardly. In one example, snap members 208 are otherwise secured to outer shell 32 and/or interior liner 30 without cuff 24 or spaced from cuff 24, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the currently application.
Hand covering 16 may be any suitable hand covering, most commonly, a glove, a mitten, a thumbless mitten, etc. While primarily described as a mitten herein, hand covering 16 is any assembly configured to selectively cover a wearer's hand 220 (see
First interior member 150 and second interior member 152 are similarly formed except where specifically enumerated below. Both first interior member 150 and second interior member are formed of a similar fabric, such as suitable liner fabric or a fleece fabric, designed to feel comfortable on a wearer's hand 220 and, in one example, to add warmth to hand covering 16. In one embodiment, fabric forming first interior member 150 and second interior member 152 is relatively thin so as to avoid adding significant bulk to sleeve 14 when in the storage position. In another embodiment, first interior member 150 and second interior member 152 may add noticeable bulk to sleeve 14. Each of first interior member 150 and second interior member 152 define an exterior-facing surface 168 and an interior-facing surface 170 opposite exterior-facing surface 168. Each of first interior member 150 and second interior member 152 define a perimeter edge 160 defining hand covering or mitten portion 162, for example with a primary area for receiving the fingers of a wearer and a thumb area for receiving a wearer's thumb. First interior member 150 terminates at a bottom wrist edge 166. In one embodiment, second interior member 152, unlike first interior member 150 terminates in a coupling flange 164 extending further away from mitten portion 162 to a free wrist edge 165 spaced further away from an opposite end of mitten portion 162 than bottom wrist edge 166 is spaced from its corresponding opposite end of mitten portion 162.
First exterior member 154 and second exterior member 156 are similarly formed except where specifically enumerated below. Both first exterior member 154 and second exterior member 156 are formed of a similar fabric, such as a fabric configured to block wind or other elements such as a fabric suitable for use in forming outer shell 32. Each of first exterior member 154 and second exterior member 156 define an exterior-facing surface 180 and an interior-facing surface 178. Each of first exterior member 154 and second exterior member 156 define a perimeter edge 172 defining hand covering or mitten area 174, for example with a primary portion for receiving the fingers of a wearer and a thumb area for receiving a wearer's thumb, and, in one example, sized and shaped substantially similarly to mitten portion 162. First exterior member 154 and second exterior member 156 terminate in a coupling flange 176 extending further away from mitten portion 174 to a free wrist edge 177.
For assembly of hand covering 16, in one embodiment, exterior-facing surfaces 180 of first exterior member 154 and second exterior member 156 are placed to face each other aligning perimeter edges 172 of each with the other. An exterior-facing surface 168 of each of first interior member 150 and second exterior member 156 are placed adjacent an interior-facing surface 178 of a different one of first exterior member 154 and second exterior member 156. First interior member 150, second interior member 152, first exterior member 154, and second exterior member 156 are sewn to each other along a perimeter seam line 182. Notably, the particulars of seam line 182 and construction of hand covering 16 will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this application. Variations are contemplated and included in the scope of this disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, first interior member 150 is first sewn to first exterior member 154 to collectively define a first side of hand covering 16 and second interior member 152 is separately sewn to second interior member 156 to collectively define a second side of hand covering 16, seam allowances are pressed away from the corresponding seam lines and then the two combinations are sewn together along seam line 182, such that all seam allowances are hidden between first and second interior members 150 and 152 and first and second exterior members 154 and 156 upon assembly of hand covering 16.
In one example, hand covering 16 additionally includes an elastic insert 188 formed in a substantially wedge shape defining a free wrist edge 190 and opposing side edges 192 tapering toward each other as they extend away from free wrist edge 190. Elastic insert 188 is sewn between the combination of first interior member 150 and first exterior member 154 and the combination of second interior member 152 and second exterior member 156 via a seam 194 along a thumb area of each. Elastic insert 188 selectively stretches to allow hand covering 16 to more easily receive a wearer's hand 122 (
In one embodiment, coupling flange 176 of first exterior member 154 is folded inwardly to cover a portion of interior-facing surface 170 adjacent wrist edge 166 to form a thicker portion of hand covering 16 and an open edge 184 of hand covering 16. In one example, one or more coupling members, such as male or female portions of a snap member 196 are coupled to coupling flange 176 and first exterior member 154 to face away from exterior-facing surface 180 of first exterior member 154. Coupling flange 164 of second interior member 152 and coupling flange 176 of second exterior member 156 are left extending away from a remainder of hand covering 16 for use in attaching hand covering 16 to sleeve 14, as will be further described below.
In one example, interior liner 30, outer shell 32, cuff 24 and hand covering 16 are all sewn together along a shared cuff seam 210 or a series of seam lines in any suitable method. For example, for assembly, outer shell 32 is turned right-side-out with exterior surface 36 facing outwardly, and cuff 24, is placed around outer shell 32 such that open edge 40 of outer shell 32 is aligned with free edges 200 of cuff 24 and a remainder of cuff 24 extends toward shoulder end 20 of outer shell 32 around and adjacent interior surface 38 of outer shell 32.
Hand covering 16 is turned right-side-out, that is, with first interior member 150 and second interior member 152 on the inside of hand covering 16, and laid on top of cuff 24 opposite a portion of outer shell 32. More specifically, in one example, hand covering 16 is placed so co-extensive wrist edges 165 and 177 of coupling flanges 164 and 176 of first interior member 150 and first exterior member 154 are aligned with a portion of open edge 40 of outer shell 32 and free edges 200 of cuff 24, such as, in one embodiment, to extend over a portion of cuff 24 opposite snap members 208 and so second exterior member 156 faces away from outer shell 32. Hand covering 16 extends from wrist edges 165 and 177 toward shoulder end 20 (see
Once cuff seam 210 is formed, interior liner 30, which extends around outer shell 32 while cuff seam 210 is formed, is pulled to extend from cuff seam 210 in an opposite direction as outer shell 32 and then is pushed into the interior of outer shell 32 such that exterior facing surface 84 of primary liner member 70 faces interior surface 38 of outer shell 32 and interior liner 30 extends from cuff 24 to shoulder end 20. In this manner, any seam allowances of outer shell 32, interior liner 30, hand covering 16, and cuff 24 adjacent cuff seam 210 are enclosed and hidden from view between interior liner 30 and outer shell 32 creating a very clean appearance. Once sleeve 14 is so formed, it is coupled with torso covering portion 12 in any suitable manner.
Referring to
An outerwear article as described above, provides a selectively hidden hand covering that is selectively stored in a pocket formed between the interior liner and the outer shell of the outerwear article. The pocket is open along and near to the sleeve opening. In one example, one side of the hand covering is sewn along a seam adjacent sleeve opening and the adjacent the pocket opening. Hand covering rotates about the seam line to extend directly into the pocket for storage within or to extend out of the sleeve opening for use. In one example, hand covering provides some protection from the elements, but adds very little overall bulk to each sleeve. In one example, when hand covering is extended from the sleeve opening and pulled over the hand of the user, a side of the hand covering opposite the coupling seam line is selectively coupled to the sleeve via snaps, hook-and-loop fastener, or other suitable coupling member. As such, outerwear article provides for a hand covering selectively extendable from its sleeve with self-storage inside the sleeve, between the outer shell and the liner during periods of non-use.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternatives and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. Other modifications within the scope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200345090 A1 | Nov 2020 | US |