Abstract:
A garment for allowing a caretaker to engage and entertain a user which has an article of clothing which has toys attached thereon by releasable attachment devices. The releasable attachment devices engage fixed attachment points on the article of clothing. Further, the article of clothing has attached thereon an interactive engagement device for entertaining a user by providing means to open and close the device or sub-elements thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an interactive garment, and more particularly, a GARMENT APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN OR PETS. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous innovations for garments have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
     A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 7,013,493, Published/Issued on Mar. 21, 2006, to Briscoe, et al. teaches an article of clothing designed to also function as a traveling entertainment center, preferably for a child. The clothing may be reversible with at least one pocket, preferably eight total pockets, four on each side. Toy attachment straps can be buttoned onto each clothing front side. A hidden button system means the strap is on the outside accessible by the child, but the button attachment is on the inside of the clothing hidden under a pocket. This keeps the strap safe and secure. The bottom of each strap has a fastener loop, preferably Velcro. This strap design allows for adding and removing toys manufactured for the clothing, as well as the user&#39;s own toys, including pacifiers, rattles and rings. The fastener loop is easily opened and closed to remove and secure toys. The back of the clothing may include a flap-covered loop for attaching a child-leash system. Thus a considerably more versatile article of clothing is provided that can be converted into an entertainment center that travels with the wearer. 
     A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 7,086,121, Published/Issued on Aug. 8, 2006, to Lippincott teaches a non-removable snap fastener used to attach a pacifier, teething ring, toy or other article to any garment of children&#39;s clothing. It is comprised of a non-removable female part of a snap fastener, which is attached to any garment of children&#39;s clothing, and preferably, though not necessary for effectiveness, incorporated into a decoration of flowers, animals, toys or any other attractive decoration for any garment of children&#39;s clothing, created using embroidery, applique, needlepoint or other craft. The corresponding male part of the snap fastener is attached to one end of a strap, having both female and male parts of a snap fastener attached to the other end of the strap, which is used to secure the article onto the strap for the child&#39;s use. It is unique in being a safe, effective and attractive means for providing a child with ready access to articles that aid in fulfilling the sucking need of children, providing uninterrupted sleep, relieving the pain of teething and providing amusement and interest for the child. 
     A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 7,117,824, Published/Issued on Oct. 10, 2006, to Holtzworth, et al. teaches a garment for the transporting, observing, entertaining, training, and displaying of small animals, reptiles and insects (gerbils, mice, snakes, tarantulas, spiders, lizards, etc.) in the tunnels of the garment while on the shoulders of their owners. The garment consists of a see-through, mesh washable fabric panel on top and a brightly colored washable panel underneath, attached to each other using releasable fasteners. The fasteners also provide means to construct tunnel walls and nesting areas for the small animal. The fasteners further provide attachment to the garment tunnel&#39;s floor and walls for toys and other paraphernalia to entertain the pet and adorn the garment. This garment allows the owner to hold, observe, and transport his pet without damaging or soiling his clothes while his pet has a tunnel in which to play and rest safely. Also the owner can remove toys, food and nesting material in order to launder the garment. 
     A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 8,387,284, Published/Issued on Mar. 5, 2013, to Baum teaches a method for providing changeable designs on clothing such as shoes by integrating a portion of the outer surface of an existing article of the shoe with a base anchor, and a system therefor. A selected ornamentation is placed on the shoe at the site of the base anchor. The ornamentation is integrated with an attachment for cooperative releasable fastening engagement with the anchor. The ornamentation is releasably fastened to the outer surface of the shoe by engaging the base anchor with the attachment of the ornamentation. The attachment and the base anchor provide the fastening of the ornamentation to the outer surface of the shoe substantially without intervening fastening elements, between the ends of the ornamentation and the outer surface of the shoe, which space the peripheral ends from the shoe. The engaging between the base anchor with the ornamentation is positioned as not being externally visible. 
     A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20120214013, Published/Issued on Aug. 23, 2012, to Namsaraeva teaches an interchangeable and detachable accessory addition to clothing accessories, handbags, shoes, and apparel provides a wide variety of fashionable and easily interchangeable looks. This helps keep the wardrobe compact while at the same time providing a wide variety of fashionable looks. Interchangeable and detachable accessory addition does not tear at clothing, can be easily removed, mixed and matched with ease for the busy Fashionistas on the go. 
     A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20120329357, Published/Issued on Dec. 27, 2012, to Brodess teaches a novelty garment having an ornamental and entertaining feature, particularly a plush toy as a part thereof. The garment has two different embodiments. The first embodiment is worn as a sleeve on a human arm. The second embodiment is worn as a band on any part of the arm. 
     A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 20120329361, Published/Issued on Dec. 27, 2012, to Buckley teaches a detachable garment or accessory for a toy. The garment or accessory includes at least a first front part and a second rear part movable relative to each other via pivot or hinge means on or associated with the parts between an open position, wherein the garment or accessory can be attached to or removed from at least part of the toy, and a closed position, wherein the garment or accessory can be secured to the toy. Each part includes a top edge, a base edge and lateral edges. The pivot or hinge provided between one or more of the lateral edges of the front and rear parts allow at least a portion of the lateral edges of the parts to be separated to form the open position and moved towards each other to form the closed position. 
     It is apparent now that numerous innovations for interactive garments have been provided in the prior art that adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a GARMENT APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN OR PETS that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a GARMENT APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN OR PETS that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a GARMENT APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN OR PETS that is simple to use. 
     BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a GARMENT APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN OR PETS that allows a caretaker to distract or engage a user without having that user pull on jewelry, hair or other body parts as is often currently the case. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic front elevational view of a first embodiment of the garment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged diagrammatic elevational view of a trapezoidal shaped style pouch component enclosed in the dotted curve indicated by arrow  2  in  FIG. 1  with a slide fastener placed in an open position so as to reveal different materials otherwise concealed therein; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged diagrammatic elevational view of securement component enclosed in the dotted curve indicated by arrow  3  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic front elevational view of a second embodiment of the garment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged diagrammatic elevational view of a shirt shaped style pouch component enclosed in the dotted curve indicated by arrow  6  in  FIG. 1  with a set of snap fasteners separated from each other so as to reveal different materials otherwise concealed therein. 
     
    
    
     A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
     
         
           10  garment for providing entertainment to a user 
           12  article of clothing 
           14  plurality of toys 
           16  plurality of loop attachment points 
           18  plurality of attachment devices 
           20  interactive engagement device 
           22  slitted ring 
           24  elasticated cord 
           26  openable loop 
           28  top end of elasticated cord  24   
           30  bottom end of elasticated cord  24   
           32  hook and loop pile fastener of openable loop  26   
           34  base of interactive engagement device  20   
           36  first flap of interactive engagement device  20   
           38  second flap of interactive engagement device  20   
           40  closure of interactive engagement device  20   
           42  at least one edge of first flap  36  of interactive engagement device  20   
           44  at least one edge of second flap  38  of interactive engagement device  20   
           46  inner surface of first flap  36  of interactive engagement device  20   
           48  inner surface of second flap  38  of interactive engagement device  20   
           50  outer surface of first flap  36  of interactive engagement device  20   
           52  outer surface of second flap  38  of interactive engagement device  20   
           54  reflective material 
           56  fur material 
           58  openable tab of interactive engagement device  20   
           60  first portion of openable tab  58  of interactive engagement device  20   
           62  second portion of openable tab  58  of interactive engagement device  20   
           64  first pile material of openable tab  58  of interactive engagement device  20   
           66  second pile material of openable tab  58  of interactive engagement device  20   
           68  mechanical slide fastener closure  40  of interactive engagement device  20   
           70  first set of teeth of mechanical slide fastener  68  closure  40  of interactive engagement device  20   
           72  second set of teeth of mechanical slide fastener  68  closure  40  of interactive engagement device  20   
           74  straight edge of first flap  36  of interactive engagement device  20   
           76  straight edge of second flap  38  of interactive engagement device  20   
           78  trapezoidal base  34  of interactive engagement device  20   
           80  first side of trapezoidal  78  base  34  of interactive engagement device  20   
           82  second side of trapezoidal  78  base  34  of interactive engagement device  20   
           84  outside edge of first side  80  of trapezoidal  78  base  34  of interactive engagement device  20   
           86  outside edge of second side  82  of trapezoidal  78  base  34  of interactive engagement device  20   
           88  snap closure  40  of interactive engagement device  20   
           90  miniaturized piece of apparel of interactive engagement device  20   
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , disclosed is garment  10  for providing entertainment to a user which comprises an article of clothing  12 , a plurality of toys  14 , a plurality of attachment points  16 , and a plurality of attachment means  18 , which attachment means  18  are attachment devices  18  having several parts. The article of clothing  12  is for wearing by a wearer, so as to allow the wearer to have the toys available for entertaining a user. The article of clothing  12  at least partially covers the wearer&#39;s torso, and in a preferred embodiment is a shirt. 
     The attachment points  16  are fixedly attached to the article of clothing  12  by sewing and in a preferred embodiment comprise loop attachment points  16 . The plurality of toys  14 , plurality of attachment points  16 , and plurality of attachment devices  18  each correspond to one another, so that there are the same number of each. 
     The garment  10  in a preferred embodiment further comprises an interactive engagement device  20  for entertaining a user which is fixedly attached to the article of clothing  12 . 
     Detailed Description of the Attachment Device 
     As is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , the plurality of toys are removably attachable to said corresponding attachment points by the corresponding attachment devices. Each attachment device comprises:
     a) a slitted ring  22 ;   b) an elasticated cord  24 ; and   c) an openable loop  26 .   

     The slitted ring  22  is for engaging the loop attachment points  16 . It does this by the loop  16  being passed through the slit  22 , with the slit being positioned to not easily allow escape when pulled by gravity. 
     The elasticated cord  24  has a top end  28  and a bottom end  30 , and is for securing the toy  14  to the openable loop  26 . This is accomplished by said top end  28  being secured to the openable loop  26 , and the bottom end being secured to the corresponding toy. 
     The openable loop  26  is for connecting the elasticated cord  24  to the slitted ring  22 , and may be of a thicker material than the loop attachment points, since being openable it can be inserted into the slitted ring without needing to fit through the slit thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the openable loop  26  is openable via a hook and loop pile fastener  32 . 
     Detailed Description of the Interactive Engagement Device 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6 , the interactive engagement device  20  comprises:
     a) a base  34 ;   b) a first flap  36 ;   c) a second flap  38 ; and   d) a closure  40 ;   

     The base  34  is for fixedly attaching the interactive engagement device  20  to the article of clothing  12 . Both the first flap  36  and the second flap  38  have at least one edge  42 , 44 , but in most embodiments at least two edges. A one-edge embodiment is only possible where the flaps are entirely curved and have no corners, otherwise most configurations will have more than one edge. If all edges are not curved, then the minimum number of geometrically possible edges is three. 
     At least part of at least one edge of each flap  42 , 44  is fixedly attached to the base, preferably by sewing but any well known attachment means such as glue or heat sealing may be used as well. The closure  40  is for securing the two flaps together releasably so that they can be opened and closed for the entertainment of the user. 
     The first and second flaps  36 , 38  both comprise inner surfaces  46 , 48  and outer surfaces  50 , 52 . The inner surfaces  46 , 48  have materials  54 , 56  on them for the entertainment of the user, so that when the user opens the flap those materials  54 , 56  are exposed. While any materials may be used for this, the preferred use is materials that have distinctive visual or textural properties such as reflective materials  54 , holographic materials, fur materials  56 , rough materials, or silken materials. 
     In a preferred construction, the interactive engagement device further comprises an openable tab  58 . The openable tab  58  comprises a piece of material having a first portion  60  and a second portion  62 . The first portion  60  is fixedly attached to the base  34  of the interactive engagement device  20  underneath the flaps  36 , 38  thereof. The second portion  62  extends from the first portion and may hang loosely therefrom. 
     The first portion of the openable tab comprises a first pile material  64 , and the second portion of the openable tab comprises a second pile material  66 . These materials cooperate with one another to allow the tab  58  to be openable. The materials in a preferred construction comprise a hook pile material and a loop pile material, but other pile materials may be used, for example hermaphroditic pile materials. 
     Detailed Description of the Different Embodiments of the Interactive Engagement Device 
     The above description is generic to the two embodiments of the interactive engagement device disclosed. Now, referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , the first of the two embodiments will be described with regard to the details which distinguish it from the second embodiment. 
     In the first embodiment, the closure  40  of the interactive engagement device  20  comprises a mechanical slide fastener  68  closure. The mechanical slide fastener  68  comprises a first set of teeth  70  and a second set of teeth  72 . The first set of teeth is mounted along an edge  42 , 74  of the first flap  36 , and the second set of teeth is attached to an edge  44 , 76  of the second flap  38 . To accomplish this, the edges of the first flap  36  and the second flap  38  where the teeth are attached are straight. Accordingly, the flaps must have at least two edges, since it is geometrically impossible for a shape to have less than two edges if one of the edges is straight. 
     In the first embodiment, the base  34  comprises a substantially trapezoidal base  78 , having a first side  80  and a second side  82 , which first side and second side are in essence the left and right sides of the trapezoidal base  78 . The first  80  and second  82  sides both have outside edges  84 , 86 . The first flap  36  is fixedly attached to the outside edge  84  of the first side  80 , and the second flap  38  is fixedly attached to the outside edge of the second side. In this way, when they are secured together by the mechanical slide fastener  68 , they cover the center of the trapezoid. 
     In the second embodiment which is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  instead of a mechanical slide fastener closure  68 , snap closures  88  are used to connect the first flap to the second flap. The snaps  88  in the second embodiment permit the interactive engagement device to have the appearance of a piece of apparel, and to comprise a miniaturized version 90 thereof. In a preferred construction, the miniaturized piece of apparel is a miniaturized shirt. 
     General Summation 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a GARMENT APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN OR PETS, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.