TRANSFORMABLE GARMENT

FIELD

This application relates to the field of apparel, and more specifically, to a garment such as a jacket, vest, shirt, or the like having detachable portions that may be used as another garment or for other purposes.

BACKGROUND

Consumers are demanding high performance activewear, sportswear, and outerwear. Currently, many such garments, such as jackets and vests, are designed to cover specific portions of the body of a wearer. If the wearer requires less or more coverage of their body, they typically change garments. This is especially so for winter garments that are worn for protection against the cold and elements. For example, on colder days, the wearer may require a garment that covers their upper and lower torso and arms, such as a parka. On warmer days, the wearer may require a garment that only covers their upper torso, such as a vest. At the same time, wearers typically do not want to carry additional garments with them especially if they are engaged in stretching, exercising, or other athletic performance outdoors or indoors.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

In one aspect, a garment, such as a jacket, vest, or shirt, having an upper portion and a detachable lower portion is provided. When detached, the lower portion can be transformed into an item having a different function such as that of a travel pillow, scarf, or hat. With the lower portion detached, the upper portion is transformed into a shorter length version of the garment.

In addition to the aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. The drawings are provided to illustrate example embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. Sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles may be not drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an example garment having an upper portion with detachable sleeves and a detachable lower portion and with the sleeves and the lower portion thereof shown in their respective attached positions.

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a right side view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a front view thereof showing the garment of FIG. 1 being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 8 is a front exploded view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 1 with the sleeves and the lower portion thereof shown in their respective detached positions with respect to the upper portion.

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 1 with the lower portion detached and removed from the upper portion and showing the example garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 1 with the sleeves detached and removed from the upper portion and showing the example garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 1 with both the sleeves and the lower portion detached and removed from the upper portion and showing the example garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 12 is an inside front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 1 in an opened position (unsnapped), laid flat, and with the sleeves detached and removed.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line A-A in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of the layers of the front, back, and sleeve panels of the example garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line B-B in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of an armhole edge of the upper portion of the example garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line C-C in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of an armhole edge of a sleeve of the example garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line D-D in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of a lower edge of the sleeve of the example garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line E-E in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of a lower edge of the upper portion of the example garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line F-F in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of an upper edge of the lower portion of the example garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line G-G in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of a lower edge of the lower portion of the example garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is an inside front view illustrating the lower portion of the example garment of FIG. 1 in isolation, in an opened position (unsnapped), and laid flat.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view illustrating the lower portion of FIG. 20 configured as a travel pillow.

FIG. 22 is a front view illustrating another example garment having an upper portion, a detachable middle portion, and a detachable lower portion and with the middle portion and the lower portion thereof shown in their respective attached positions.

FIG. 23 is a rear view thereof.

FIG. 24 is a right side view thereof.

FIG. 25 is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view thereof.

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 28 is a front view thereof showing the garment of FIG. 22 being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 29 is a front exploded view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 22 with the middle portion and the lower portion thereof shown in their respective detached positions with respect to the upper portion.

FIG. 30 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 22 with the lower portion detached and removed from the middle portion and showing the example garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 31 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 22 with both the lower portion and the middle portion detached and removed from the upper portion and showing the example garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 32 is an inside front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 22 in an opened position (unsnapped) and laid flat.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line H-H in FIG. 29 illustrating a portion of a lower edge of the upper portion of the example garment of FIG. 22.

FIG. 34 is an inside front view illustrating the middle portion of the example garment of FIG. 22 in isolation, in an opened position (unsnapped), and laid flat.

FIG. 35 is an outside rear view thereof.

FIG. 36 is a front perspective view illustrating the middle portion of FIG. 34 configured as a travel pillow.

FIG. 37 is an inside front view illustrating the lower portion of FIG. 22 in isolation, in an opened position (unsnapped), and laid flat.

FIG. 38 is an outside rear view thereof.

FIG. 39 is a front perspective view illustrating the lower portion of FIG. 37 configured as a scarf.

FIG. 40 is a front view illustrating a further example garment having an upper portion and a detachable lower portion and with the lower portion thereof shown in its attached position.

FIG. 41 is a front view illustrating the lower portion of the example garment of FIG. 40 in isolation and configured as a hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, details are set forth to provide an understanding of the application. In some instances, certain structures, techniques, and methods have not been described or shown in detail in order not to obscure the application.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an example garment 100 having an upper portion 200 with detachable sleeves 300, 400 and a detachable lower portion 500 and with the sleeves 300, 400 and the lower portion 500 thereof shown in their respective attached positions 301, 401, 501. FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof. FIG. 3 is a right side view thereof. FIG. 4 is a left side view thereof. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof. FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view thereof. FIG. 7 is a front view thereof showing the garment 100 of FIG. 1 being worn by a wearer 5000 (e.g., a male wearer).

The garment 100 may be a jacket, coat, parka, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the garment (e.g., jacket) 100 has a front side 111, a back side 112, a first (e.g., right) side 113, a second (e.g., left) side 114, an outside 115, an inside 116, an outer surface 117, and an inner surface 118.

The garment 100 includes: an upper portion 200; first (or right) and second (or left) detachable sleeves 300, 400 removably attached, connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered, snapped, buttoned, etc.) to the upper portion 200 at respective armhole openings 260, 270 of the upper portion 200; and, a lower portion 500 removably attached, connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered, snapped, buttoned, etc.) to the upper portion 200 at the waist opening 280 of the upper portion 200. The sleeves 300, 400 and lower portion 500 of the garment 100 are shown in respective attached positions 301, 401, 501 in FIGS. 1-7.

In one embodiment, the upper portion 200 is for covering at least a portion of the torso 5020 of the wearer 5000, the sleeves 300, 400 are for covering at least a portion of the respective arms 5030, 5040 of the wearer 5000, and the lower portion 500 is for covering at least a portion of the upper legs or thighs 5050, 5055 of the wearer 5000.

FIG. 8 is a front exploded view illustrating the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 with the sleeves 300, 400 and the lower portion 500 thereof shown in their respective detached positions 302, 402, 502 with respect to the upper portion 200. FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 with the lower portion 500 detached 502 and removed from the upper portion 200 and showing the example garment 100 being worn by a wearer 5000. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 with the sleeves 300, 400 detached 302, 402 and removed from the upper portion 200 and showing the example garment 100 being worn by a wearer 5000. And, FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 with both the sleeves 300, 400 and the lower portion 500 detached 302, 402, 502 and removed from the upper portion 200 and showing the example garment 100 being worn by a wearer 5000.

The upper portion 200 includes: first (or right) and second (or left) front panels (or fabric panels) 210, 220 openable and closable by operation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 251, 252 such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 212, 221 of the first and second front panels 210, 220; a back panel (or fabric panel) 230 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 231, 232 to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 222, 211 of the first and second front panels 210, 220; and, a collar 240 attached to the upper edges 213, 223, 233 of the first front, second front, and back panels 210, 220, 230 (i.e., to the upper edge 205 of the upper portion 200). The lower edges 214, 224, 234 of the first front, second front, and back panels 210, 220, 230 form the lower edge 206 of the upper portion 200. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the fasteners 251, 252 of the upper portion 200 in their closed and opened positions 201, 202, respectively.

Each sleeve (e.g., 300) includes a sleeve panel (or fabric panel) 310 having a first (or right) edge 311, a second (or left) edge 312, an upper (or shoulder) edge 313, and a lower (or cuff) edge 314. The first and second edges 311, 312 of the sleeve panel 310 are attached to form the tubular sleeve 300 having an arm opening 320 (defined by edge 313) and a hand opening 330 (defined by edge 314) with a cuff 340. The sleeve panel 310 and hence sleeve 300 may be elongate and tapered from the upper (or shoulder) edge 313 to the lower (or cuff) edge 314.

The upper edge (e.g., 313) of each sleeve (e.g., 300) may be removably attached to the edge (e.g., 261) of the respective arm opening (e.g., 260) of the upper portion 200 of the garment 100. Each sleeve 300 is attachable and detachable from the upper portion 200 of the garment by operation one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) (e.g., 351, 352) such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective edges 261, 313 of the upper portion 200 at the arm opening 260 and the sleeve 300 at the arm opening 320.

The lower portion 500 includes: first (or right) and second (or left) front panels (or fabric panels) 510, 520 openable and closable by operation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 551, 552 such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 512, 521 of the first and second front panels 510, 520; and, a back panel (or fabric panel) 530 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 531, 532 to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 522, 511 of the first and second front panels 510, 520. The upper edges 513, 523, 533 of the first front, second front, and back panels 510, 520, 530 form the upper edge 505 of the lower portion 500. The lower edges 514, 524, 534 of the first front, second front, and back panels 510, 520, 530 form the lower edge 506 of the lower portion 500. FIGS. 8 and 10 show the fasteners 551, 552 of the lower portion 500 in their closed and opened positions 503, 504, respectively.

The upper edge 505 of the lower portion 500 may be removably attached to the lower edge 206 of the upper portion 200 of the garment 100. The lower portion 500 is attachable and detachable from the upper portion 200 of the garment 100 by operation one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners, lower and upper fasteners, etc.) 553, 554 such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective edges 206, 505 of the upper portion 200 at the waist opening 280 and the lower portion 500 at the waist opening 580.

FIG. 12 is an inside front view illustrating the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 in an opened position (unsnapped) 202, laid flat, and with the sleeves 300, 400 detached and removed. And, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line A-A in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of the layers 1300 of the front, back, and sleeve panels 210, 220, 230, 510, 520, 530, 310 of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the front, back, and sleeve panels 210, 220, 230, 510, 520, 530, 310 of the garment 100 may include multiple layers 1300 as follows (from outer surface 117 to inner surface 118 of the garment 100): an outer layer (or self) 1310; an outer baffle layer 1320, an insulation layer 1330, an inner baffle layer 1340, and inner lining layer (or liner) 1350. The outer layer 1310 may be made from, for example, a durable water repellent (“DWR”), non-PFC, downproof, 66 gsm, Glyde Power Stretch™ or SoftMatte™ fabric. The insulation layer (or insulation) 1330 may be made from or consist of, for example, 80% goose down and 20% goose feathers. Underarm areas and edgings (e.g., 1400) may use a lighter (e.g., thinner, etc.) insulation 1331 such as, for example, PrimaLoft™ 40 g. The liner 1350 may be made from, for example, DWR, non-PFC, downproof, 56 gsm, Glyde 1L™ fabric. The baffle layers 1320, 1340, quilting lines (e.g., 1360), and/or stitching (e.g., 1370) help to keep the insulation 1330 in place. The quilting lines 1360 may pass through all layers 1310, 1320, 1330, 1340 except for the liner 1350.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line B-B in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of an armhole edge 261 of the upper portion 200 of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1. And, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line C-C in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of an armhole edge 313 of a sleeve (e.g., 300) of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, to conceal (or partially conceal) the fastener 351 (e.g., zipper) at the edge 261 of the arm opening 260 when the sleeve 300 is detached 302, the armhole edge 261 of the upper portion 200 may include an edging 1400 that overlaps the fastener 351. To improve insulation at the fastener 351, 352 when the sleeve 300 is attached 301, the upper edge 313 of the sleeve 300 may include an edging 1430 that underlies the fastener 352. When the sleeve 300 is attached, the edgings 1400, 1430 encase the fastener 351, 352. The thickness and/or type of insulation 1331 used in the edgings 1400, 1430 may be different (e.g., reduced, etc.) than the insulation 1330 used in the panels (e.g., 210, 220) of the garment 100 as described above.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line D-D in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of a lower edge (e.g., 314) of the sleeve (e.g., 300) of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the lower edge 314 (or cuff) of the sleeve 300 may have a roll over hem 1450 type construction.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line E-E in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of a lower edge 206 of the upper portion 200 of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1. And, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line F-F in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of an upper edge 505 of the lower portion 500 of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1.

In one embodiment, to conceal (or partially conceal) the fastener 553 (e.g., zipper) at the lower edge 206 of the waist opening 280 of the upper portion 200 when the lower portion 500 is detached 502, the lower edge 206 of the upper portion 200 may include an facing (or edging) 1470 that overlaps the fastener 553 on the inner surface 118 of the upper portion 200. To improve insulation at the fastener 553, 554 when the lower portion 500 is attached 501, the upper edge 505 of the lower portion 500 may be tapered 1490 to fit into the channel 1480 formed between the facing 1470 and inner surface 118 of the upper portion 200. When the lower portion 500 is attached, the facing 1470 and inner surface 118 of the upper portion 200 encase the tapered upper edge 505 of the lower portion 500. The thickness and/or type of insulation 1331 used in the facing 1470 may be different (e.g., reduced, etc.) than the insulation 1330 used in the panels (e.g., 210, 220) of the garment 100 as described above.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line G-G in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of a lower edge 506 of the lower portion 500 of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the lower edge 506 (or hem) of the lower portion 500 may have a roll over hem 1495 type construction.

FIG. 20 is an inside front view illustrating the lower portion 500 of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 in isolation (i.e., detached 502 from the upper portion 200), in an opened position (e.g., unsnapped) 504, and laid flat. And, FIG. 21 is a front perspective view illustrating the lower portion 500 of FIG. 20 configured as a travel pillow 2100.

In one embodiment, the back panel 530 of the lower portion 500 may have a pocket 600 formed therein. The pocket 600 may have a pocket bag 610 and a pocket opening 640 into the pocket bag 610. The pocket bag 610 may have a first pocket panel 620 and a second pocket panel 630, the first and second pocket panels 620, 630 being attached along respective second (or left), upper, and lower edges 622, 632, 623, 633, 624, 634 and unattached along the first (or right) edges 621, 631, the unattached first edges 621, 631 defining the pocket opening 640. The pocket bag 610 may extend into the space between the inner baffle 1340 and liner 1350 of the back portion 530 (see FIG. 13). The first pocket edges 621, 631 at the pocket opening 640 are attached to respective first (or right) and second (or left) edges 571, 572 of a slit or opening 570 formed in the liner 1350 of the back panel 530. The pocket opening 640 may extend (e.g., vertically or approximately vertically) from proximate the top edge 533 to proximate the bottom edge 534 of the back panel 530 and may be located proximate to the second (or left) edge 532 of the back panel 530. Of course, the pocket 600 may be located at other positions on the lower portion 500.

In addition, the pocket 600 has one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 653, 654 such as one or more zippers (e.g., having inner and outer facing pulls), snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective first and second pocket edges 621, 631 of the pocket bag 610 at the pocket opening 640. The pocket opening 640 is openable and closable by operation of the one or more fasteners 653, 654. In particular, the pocket opening 640 is moveable from a closed position 641 to an opened position 642, and vise versa, by unfastening and fastening the one or more fasteners 653, 654, respectively.

The pocket bag 610 has an inside 615 and an inner surface 616 formed by the inner surfaces 625, 635 of the first and second pocket panels 620, 630 and an outside 617 and outer surface 618 formed by the outer surfaces 626, 636 of the first and second pocket panels 620, 630.

The pocket opening 640 is sized to receive items such as hats, gloves, wallets, etc., for storage within the pocket bag 610 of the pocket 600.

In addition, the pocket 600 is reversible and may be used to store the lower portion 500 of the garment 100 when unattached 502 from the upper portion 200. When stored in the pocket 600, the lower portion 500 may be used as a travel pillow 2100. In FIG. 20, the pocket bag 610 is shown in a nominal right-side-out (or outside-out) position or configuration 611. In FIG. 21, the pocket bag 610 is shown in a nominal inside-out position or configuration 612.

When right-side-out 611, as described above, the pocket bag 610 has an inside 615 and an inner surface 616 formed by the inner surfaces 625, 635 of the first and second pocket panels 620, 630 and an outside 617 and outer surface 618 formed by the outer surfaces 626, 636 of the first and second pocket panels 620, 630. When inside-out 612, the inside 615 and the inner surface 616 of the pocket bag 610 form the outside and outer surface of the pocket bag 610, respectively, and the outside 617 and outer surface 618 of the pocket bag 610 form the inside and inner surface of the pocket bag 610, respectively.

When in the opened position 642, the pocket bag 610 in its right-side-out position 611 may be pulled out of the pocket opening 640 to its inside-out position 612. In the inside-out position 612, the pocket opening 640 is sized to receive the lower portion 500 of the garment 100 which may be stuffed and worked into the pocket bag 610. The pocket opening 640 may then be moved to the closed position 641 by fastening the one or more fasteners 653, 654. In one embodiment, as mentioned above, the one or more fasteners 653, 654 may be a zipper having both outside and inside facing pulls 655, 656.

As described above, the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 is transformable (or reconfigurable or repurposable). When both the sleeves 300, 400 and the lower portion 500 are attached 301, 401, 501 to the upper portion 200, the garment 100 is a full-length jacket (see FIG. 7). When the lower portion 500 is detached 502 from the upper portion 200, the garment 100 is transformed into a regular-length jacket (see FIG. 9). When the sleeves 300, 400 are detached 302, 402 from the upper portion 200, the garment 100 is transformed into a full-length vest (see FIG. 10). When both the sleeves 300, 400 and the lower portion 500 are detached 302, 402, 502 from the upper portion 200, the garment 1000 is transformed into a regular-length vest (see FIG. 11). And, when detached, the lower portion 500 may be transformed into a travel pillow 2100 (see FIG. 21).

FIG. 22 is a front view illustrating another example garment 1000 having an upper portion 1200, a detachable middle portion (or lower portion) 1700, and a detachable lower portion (or additional lower portion) 1800 and with the middle portion 1700 and the lower portion 1800 thereof shown in their respective attached positions 1701, 1801. FIG. 23 is a rear view thereof. FIG. 24 is a right side view thereof. FIG. 25 is a left side view thereof. FIG. 26 is a front perspective view thereof. FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view thereof. And, FIG. 28 is a front view thereof showing the garment 1000 of FIG. 22 being worn by a wearer 6000 (e.g., a female wearer).

The garment 1000 may be a vest, parka, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 22-28, the garment (e.g., vest) 1000 has a front side 1111, a back side 1112, a first (e.g., right) side 1113, a second (e.g., left) side 1114, an outside 1115, an inside 1116, an outer surface 1117, and an inner surface 1118.

The garment 1000 includes: an upper portion 1200; a middle portion 1700 removably attached, connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered, snapped, buttoned, etc.) to the upper portion 1200 at the waist opening 1280 of the upper portion 1200; and, a lower portion 1800 removably attached, connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered, snapped, buttoned, etc.) to the middle portion 1700 at the upper thigh opening 1790 of the middle portion 1700. The middle portion 1700 and the lower portion 1800 of the garment 1000 are shown in respective attached positions 1701, 1801 in FIGS. 22-28.

In one embodiment, the upper portion 1200 is for covering at least a portion of the upper torso 6020 of the wearer 6000, the middle portion 1700 is for covering at least a portion of the lower torso 6030 and upper thighs 6050, 6055 of the wearer 6000, and the lower portion 1800 is for covering at least a portion of the lower thighs 6060, 6065 of the wearer 6000.

FIG. 29 is a front exploded view illustrating the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 with the middle portion 1700 and the lower portion 1800 thereof shown in their respective detached positions 1702, 1802 with respect to the upper portion 1200. FIG. 30 is a front view illustrating the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 with the lower portion 1800 detached 1802 and removed from the middle portion 1700 and showing the example garment 1000 being worn by a wearer 6000. And, FIG. 31 is a front view illustrating the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 with both the middle portion 1700 and the lower portion 1800 detached 1702, 1802 and removed from the upper portion 1200 and showing the example garment 1000 being worn by a wearer 6000.

The upper portion 1200 includes: first (or right) and second (or left) front panels (or fabric panels) 1210, 1220 openable and closable by operation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1251, 1252 such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1212, 1221 of the first and second front panels 1210, 1220; a back panel (or fabric panel) 1230 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 1231, 1232 to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1222, 1211 of the first and second front panels 1210, 1220; and, a collar 1240 attached to the upper edges 1213, 1223, 1233 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1210, 1220, 1230 (i.e., to the upper edge 1205 of the upper portion 1200). The lower edges 1214, 1224, 1234 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1210, 1220, 1230 form the lower edge 1206 of the upper portion 1200. FIGS. 29 and 28 show the fasteners 1251, 1252 of the upper portion 1200 in their closed and opened positions 1201, 1202, respectively.

The middle portion 1700 includes: first (or right) and second (or left) front panels (or fabric panels) 1710, 1720 openable and closable by operation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1751, 1752 such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1712, 1721 of the first and second front panels 1710, 1720; and, a back panel (or fabric panel) 1730 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 1731, 1732 to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1722, 1711 of the first and second front panels 1710, 1720. The upper edges 1713, 1723, 1733 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1710, 1720, 1730 form the upper edge 1705 of the middle portion 1700. The lower edges 1714, 1724, 1734 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1710, 1720, 1730 form the lower edge 1706 of the middle portion 1700. FIGS. 22 and 29 show the fasteners 1751, 1752 of the middle portion 1700 in their closed and opened positions 1703, 1704, respectively.

The upper edge 1705 of the middle portion 1700 may be removably attached to the lower edge 1206 of the upper portion 1200 of the garment 1000. The middle portion 1700 is attachable and detachable from the upper portion 1200 of the garment 1000 by operation one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners, upper and lower fasteners, etc.) 1753, 1754 such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective edges 1206, 1705 of the upper portion 1200 at the waist opening 1280 and the middle portion 1700 at the waist opening 1780.

The lower portion 1800 includes: first (or right) and second (or left) front panels (or fabric panels) 1810, 1820 openable and closable by operation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1851, 1852 such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1812, 1821 of the first and second front panels 1810, 1820; and, a back panel (or fabric panel) 1830 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 1831, 1832 to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1822, 1811 of the first and second front panels 1810, 1820. The upper edges 1813, 1823, 1833 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1810, 1820, 1830 form the upper edge 1805 of the lower portion 1800. The lower edges 1814, 1824, 1834 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1810, 1820, 1830 form the lower edge 1806 of the lower portion 1800. FIGS. 22 and 29 show the fasteners 1851, 1852 of the lower portion 1800 in their closed and opened positions 1803, 1804, respectively.

The upper edge 1805 of the lower portion 1800 may be removably attached to the lower edge 1706 of the middle portion 1700 of the garment 1000. The lower portion 1800 is attachable and detachable from the middle portion 1700 of the garment 1000 by operation one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1853, 1854 such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective edges 1706, 1805 of the middle portion 1700 at the upper thigh opening 1790 and the lower portion 1800 at the upper thigh opening 1890.

FIG. 32 is an inside front view illustrating the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 in an opened position (unsnapped) 1202 and laid flat. The layers 1300 of the garment 1000 may be similar to those of the garment 100 of FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line H-H in FIG. 29 illustrating a portion of a lower edge 1206 of the upper portion 1200 of the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22.

In one embodiment, to conceal (or partially conceal) the fastener 1753 (e.g., zipper) at the lower edge 1206 of the waist opening 1280 of the upper portion 1200 when the middle portion 1700 is detached 1702, the lower edge 1206 of the upper portion 1200 may include an facing (or edging) 3300 that overlaps the fastener 1753 on the inner surface 1118 of the upper portion 1200. To improve insulation at the fastener 1753, 1754 when the middle portion 1700 is attached 1701, the upper edge 1705 of the middle portion 1700 may be tapered 1490 (similar to the construction shown in FIG. 18) to fit into the channel 3310 formed between the facing 3300 and inner surface 1118 of the upper portion 1200. When the middle portion 1700 is attached, the facing 3300 and inner surface 1118 of the upper portion 1200 encase the tapered upper edge 1705 of the middle portion 1700. The thickness and/or type of insulation 1331 used in the facing 3300 may be different (e.g., reduced, etc.) than the insulation 1330 used in the panels (e.g., 1210, 1220) of the garment 1000 as described above.

The lower edge 1706 of the middle portion 1700 and the upper edge 1805 of the lower portion 1800 may have similar respective constructions.

FIG. 34 is an inside front view illustrating the middle portion 1700 of the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 in isolation (i.e., detached 1702, 1802 from the upper portion 1200 and the lower portion 1800), in an opened position (e.g., unsnapped) 1704, and laid flat. FIG. 35 is an outside rear view thereof. And, FIG. 36 is a front perspective view illustrating the middle portion 1700 of FIG. 34 configured as a travel pillow 3600.

In one embodiment, the back panel 1730 of the middle portion 1700 may have a pocket 600 formed therein. The pocket 600 may be similar in construction and operation to that of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 described above. When stored in the pocket 600, the middle portion 1700 may be used as a travel pillow 3600.

FIG. 37 is an inside front view illustrating the lower portion 1800 of the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 in isolation (i.e., detached 1802 from the middle portion 1700), in an opened position (e.g., unsnapped) 1804, and laid flat. FIG. 38 is an outside rear view thereof. And, FIG. 39 is a front perspective view illustrating the lower portion 1800 of FIG. 37 configured as a scarf 3900.

In one embodiment, the first (or right) panel 1810 of the lower portion 1800 may have a scarf through-hole, slit, or opening 1900 formed therein. The scarf opening 1900 may pass through the first panel 1810 from the outer surface 1117 to the inner surface 1118. The scarf opening 1900 is defined by first (or upper) and second (or lower) edges 1910, 1920 internal to the first panel 1810. The scarf opening 1900 may extend (e.g., horizontally or approximately horizontally) from proximate the first edge 1811 to proximate the midpoint (or approximately the midpoint) 1815 between the first edge 1811 and the second edge 1812 of the first panel 1810 and may be located proximate the midpoint (or approximately the midpoint) 1816 between the upper edge 1813 and the lower edge 1814 of the first panel 1810. Of course, the scarf opening 1900 may be located at other positions on the lower portion 1800.

The first and second edges 1910, 1920 of the scarf opening 1900 have one or more respective fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1953, 1954 such as one or more zippers, snaps, button, or the like attached thereto. The scarf opening 1900 is openable and closeable by operation of the one or more fasteners 1953, 1954. In particular, the scarf opening 1900 is moveable from a closed position 1941 to an opened position 1942, and vice vera, by unfastening and fastening the one or more fasteners 1953, 1954, respectively. FIGS. 38 and 39 show the scarf opening 1900 in its closed and opened positions 1941, 1942, respectively.

The lower portion 1800 may be used as a scarf 3900 by draping or wrapping the lower portion 1800 lengthwise about the neck 6070 of the wearer 6000. When in the opened position 1942, the scarf opening 1900 is sized to receive at least a portion of the second (or left) panel 1820 of the lower portion 1800. In particular, when worn about the neck 6070, the first (or right) edge 1821 of the second panel 1820 and desired portions of the first panel 1810 and back panel 1830 extending lengthwise therefrom may be stuffed and worked through the scarf opening 1900 so as to secure the lower portion 1800 about the neck 6090 of the wearer 6000.

The presence of the scarf opening 1900 may be concealed (or partially concealed) by positioning the scarf opening 1900 over or proximate to a horizontal (or approximately horizontal) quilting line (e.g., 1360) of the lower portion 1800.

In one embodiment, the lower portion 1800 may include a pocket 600 formed therein. The pocket 600 may be similar in construction and operation to that of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 described above. The pocket 600 may be used to store the lower portion 1800. Alternatively, when stored in the pocket 600, the lower portion 1800 may be used as a second travel pillow 3600.

In one embodiment, the middle portion 1700 may be configured as a scarf 3900 and the lower portion 1800 may be configured as a travel pillow 3600.

In one embodiment, the example garment 1000 may include one or more additional middle and/or lower portions 700, 1880 (appropriately configured as described above).

As described above, the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 is transformable (or reconfigurable or repurposable). When both the lower and middle portions 1700, 1800 are attached 1701, 1801 to the upper portion 1200, the garment 1000 is a full-length vest (see FIG. 28). When the lower portion 1800 is detached 1802 from the upper and middle portions 1200, 1700, the garment 1000 is transformed into a mid-length vest (see FIG. 30). When both the lower and middle portions 1700, 1800 are detached 1702, 1802 from the upper portion 1200, the garment 1000 is transformed into a regular-length or cropped vest (see FIG. 31). When detached, the middle portion 1700 may be transformed into a travel pillow 3600 (see FIG. 36). And, when detached, the lower portion 1800 may be transformed into a scarf 3900 (see FIG. 39).

FIG. 40 is a front view illustrating a further example garment 2000 having an upper portion 2200 and a detachable lower portion 2500 and with the lower portion 2500 thereof shown in its attached 2501 position. And, FIG. 41 is a front view illustrating the lower portion 2500 of the example garment 2000 of FIG. 40 in isolation (i.e., detached 2502 from the upper portion 2200) and configured as a hat 4100. In FIG. 40, the garment 2000 is being worn by a wearer 7000 (e.g., a female wearer). The garment 2000 may be a shirt, t-shirt, tank top, blouse, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 40-41, the garment (e.g., t-shirt) 2000 has a front side 2111, a back side 2112, a first (e.g., right) side 2113, a second (e.g., left) side 2114, an outside 2115, an inside 2116, an outer surface 2117, and an inner surface 2118.

The garment 2000 includes: an upper portion 2200; and, a lower portion 2500 removably attached, connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered, snapped, buttoned, etc.) to the upper portion 2200 at the waist opening 2280 of the upper portion 2200. The lower portion 2500 of the garment 2000 is shown in its attached position 2501 in FIG. 40.

In one embodiment, the upper portion 2200 is for covering at least a portion of the upper torso 7020 of the wearer 7000 and the lower portion 2500 is for covering at least a portion of the lower torso 7030 of the wearer 7000.

The lower portion 2500 includes: a front panel (or fabric panel) 2510; and, a back panel (or fabric panel) 2520 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 2521, 2522 to respective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 2512, 2511 of the front panel 2510. The upper edges 2513, 2523 of the front and back panels 2510, 2520 form the upper edge 2505 of the lower portion 2500. The lower edges 2514, 2524 of the front and back panels 2510, 2520 form the lower edge 2506 of the lower portion 2500.

The upper edge 2505 of the lower portion 2500 may be removably attached to the lower edge 2206 of the upper portion 2200 of the garment 2000. The lower portion 2500 is attachable and detachable from the upper portion 2200 of the garment 2000 by operation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners, upper and lower fasteners, etc.) 2553, 2554 such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective edges 2206, 2505 of the upper portion 2200 at the waist opening 2280 and the lower portion 2500 at the waist opening 2580.

In one embodiment, the upper and lower edges 2505, 2506 of the lower portion 2500 may have respective upper and lower hems 2551, 2552 formed thereat for enclosing respective upper and lower drawstrings 2555, 2556 for opening and closing, adjusting the size, and/or adjusting the shape of the respective waist opening 2580 and lower torso opening 2590 of the lower portion 2500. In addition, the outer surface 2117 of the lower portion 2500 may have one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 2553, 2554 such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached thereto for adjusting the shape of the lower portion 2500 by, for example, drawing respective side edges 2511, 2512 of the front panel 2510 of the lower portion 2500 closer together.

The lower portion 2500 may be used as a hat, cap, of the like 4100 by tightening the upper drawstring 2553 to close the waist opening 2580 to form the crown 4110 of the hat 4100, tightening the lower drawstring 2554 to size the lower torso opening 2590 to form the band 4120 of the hat 4100, selectively opening or closing the one or more fasteners 2553, 2554 to adjust the shape or crown shape 4130 of the hat 4100, and then putting the hat 4100 on the wearer's head 7020.

As described above, the example garment 2000 of FIG. 40 is transformable (or reconfigurable or repurposable). When the lower portion 2500 is attached 2501 to the upper portion 2000, the garment 2500 is a full-length t-shirt (see FIG. 40). When the lower portion 2500 is detached 2502 from the upper portion 2000, the garment 2500 is transformed into a cropped t-shirt. And, when detached 2502, the lower portion 2500 may be transformed into a hat 4100 (see FIG. 41).

In operation, a wearer (or user) 5000, 6000, 7000 may transform the garment 100, 1000, 2000 into a shorter length version of the garment 100, 1000, 2000 by detaching (e.g., unzipping, etc.) one or more lower portions 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 of the garment 100, 1000, 2000 from the upper portion 200, 1200, 2200. The detached lower portions 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 can then be transformed into items such as travel pillows 2100, 3600, (e.g., by packing the lower portion 500, 1700 into a pocket 600 formed in the lower portion 500, 1700), scarves 3900, (e.g., by passing one end 1821 of the lower portion 1800 through an opening or slit 1900 formed proximate the other end 1812 of the lower portion 1800), or hats 4100. (e.g., by adjusting drawstrings 2555, 2556 at the upper and lower edges 2505, 2506 of the lower portion 2500). In some cases, the wearer 5000, 6000, 7000 may attach and/or detach a lower portion 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 when the garment 100, 1000, 2000 is being worn (i.e., without taking the garment 100, 1000, 2000 off).

Advantageously, the detachable lower portions 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 of the example garments 100, 1000, 2000 allow a wearer 5000, 6000, 7000 to easily transform (or reconfigure, repurpose, convert, etc.) the garment 100, 1000, 2000 into a shorter length and/or sleeveless garment and to easily transform (or reconfigure, repurpose, convert, etc.) the detached lower portions 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 into items having new or different uses or functions such as travel pillows 2100, 3600, scarves 3900, or hats 4100. This allows the wearer 5000, 6000, 7000 to continue to wear the garment 100 when weather conditions change (e.g., the temperature rises, etc.) or when the wearer 5000, 6000, 7000 desires a different look. Rather than simply carrying or storing the detached lower portions 500, 1700, 1800, 2500, these portions can be used when the wearer is in transit 5000, 6000, 7000 and can be attached to the garment 100, 1000, 2000 again when desired (e.g., when weather conditions change, when a new look is desired, etc.).

While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present application have been shown and described, it will be understood, that the scope of the application is not limited thereto, since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present application, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Thus, for example, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts or operations making up the method/process may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Elements and components can be configured or arranged differently, combined, and/or eliminated in various embodiments. The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this application. Reference throughout this disclosure to “some embodiments,” “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, step, process, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in some embodiments,” “in an embodiment,” or the like, throughout this application are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment and may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, additions, substitutions, equivalents, rearrangements, and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the application.

Various aspects and advantages of the embodiments have been described where appropriate. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such aspects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, it should be recognized that the various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without operator input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. No single feature or group of features is required for or indispensable to any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Any example calculations, simulations, results, graphs, values, and parameters of the embodiments described herein are intended to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed embodiments. Other embodiments can be configured and/or operated differently than the illustrative examples described herein.

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