Abstract:
The invention outlined in the disclosure is a roll-up covering and belt assembly that is worn around the waist of the wearer. The belt is preferably a one-inch wide strap with a buckle that adjusts to the waist size of the wearer. An upper covering portion and a lower covering portion are attached to the strap opposite the buckle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 60/915,629, filed 2 May 2007, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to over garment apparel, in particular capes having multiple functionality such as a roll-up covering and belt assembly that can be worn around the waist of the wearer, as a cushion, or as a body wrap. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are a number of issued patents concerned with garments of outerwear that can be transported in a storage condition. In particular there are many activities, such as hunting, fishing, or attending sporting activities and the like that require periods of high activity with intense energy expenditure followed by periods of inactivity with relatively low energy expenditure in exposed or cold conditions. During the periods of high activity there is often a need for transporting the garment without having to wear it, such as a hunter removing game animals from the woods, entering a stadium trying to hold drinks, food, and other items, or the movement of sports equipment at the end of a game or match. During the times of inactivity there is a need to retain as much heat as possible. Due to these wide and varied requirements, there is a continuous need for innovative ways of designing garments that maximize warmth, while being able to be easily stored and carried in a hands-off way while not being worn. 
         [0004]    Argento et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,853, describes a coat which converts into a tote bag such as a purse. The coat has a belt for the coat which becomes the strap for the purse when transporting. Snap hooks located on the back of the collar and the back portion of the coat in the area of the belt to snap together to form the leaves of the purse. The coat is folded about the belt portion, which is adjustable, allowing the user to wear the tote bag over a shoulder or to hold the belt as a conventional bag. 
         [0005]    In U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,493, Leinoff discloses a long coat which has a back portion with flaps which fold in and connects to the front portion in a way that it forms a pair of culottes. The facing along the front edges of the garment includes a selectively open flap portion extending upwardly a predetermined distance from the bottom edge of the garment. Thus, one would hope that that predetermined distance is sufficient for the torso of the wearer. 
         [0006]    Boesen, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,776, describes a stadium coat having straps which tuck out of the way while being worn. Then when the stadium observer decides to sit down, the coat can be folded into a make-shift stadium seat cushion with the straps holding the coat into a closed position. 
         [0007]    In U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,520, Gazzola discloses an overcoat that can be converted into a bag similar to the Argento disclosure. The overcoat includes a zip-fastener having one set of teeth located on a flap to the top side of the coat down to the midline of the overcoat itself. The other set of teeth are located the bottom side meeting at the midline of the overcoat. When zipped together the two halves of the zippered portions form a purse. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,264 by Yuen describes a stowaway traveler&#39;s jacket in a modular construction. The jacket has arm outlets and resembles a shortened version of a conventional jacket. The belted portion has a fastening device and a storage liner pocket into which the folded jacket may be stowed and then worn like a belt. There may be storage pockets made of two flapped front pockets. 
         [0009]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,723, DiPrato et al. discloses a garment functioning as a cushion, blanket, or poncho with a hood. The garment includes a small triangular sheet, which functions as a hood, attached to a rectangular main sheet and provides attachment to the top and near the center of the main sheet. The sheet assembly maybe spread out as a blanket or worn as a poncho, such that the triangular portion fits over a person&#39;s head and the remaining main sheet drapes over the person&#39;s body. As the main sheet is folded, the handles meet and snap together to form a cushion and a carrying case. 
         [0010]    Harris, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,121, describes a long-sleeved full-skirt coat that may be manually converted into a shoulder tote bag. A shoulder strap is formed from the long sleeves by attaching their free ends together. The bag is formed by transversely folding the flattened body of the coat with the arms spread-eagled to either side. The body is folded in approximately three sections from top to bottom. The bottom third skirt section has its corners folded inward to form a generally pointed bottom, which is folded over the top third and fastened to the front of the coat body. The free ends of the sleeves are then fastened together to form a shoulder strap extending from either end of the folded and fastened together body. 
         [0011]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,775, Komjati discloses a jacket or rain gear, which is collapsible into its sleeve to form a fanny pack, shoulder pack, hand pack or back pack configuration. The jacket includes a fastener which retains an adjustable belt attached to the jacket or rain gear. When it is desired to use the jacket or rain gear, it is converted from its fanny pack configuration ready for use. 
         [0012]    Ozenkoski, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,204, describes a blanket that can be folded and attached at points in such a way that it makes a jacket. The various arrangements are for wearing or transport. For example, a blanket/jacket comprises a piece of material having upper, lower, right and left edges. A first fastener is attached to the material parallel the left edge of the material, and a second fastener is attached to the material parallel with the upper edge and offset from the upper edge of the material. A third fastener is attached to the material parallel the right edge of the material, and a fourth fastener attached to the material parallel with the upper edge and offset from the upper edge of the material. The first fastener is adapted to fasten to the second fastener, and the third fastener is adapted to fasten to the fourth fastener to form right and left sleeves, respectively, and the material between the upper edge and the second and fourth fasteners can be folded to form a collar. 
         [0013]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,518, Boesen discloses a stadium jacket or coat similar to her 776 disclosure, convertible to a cushion and reversible for variation in outer appearance. The coat or jacket may be easily carried by a removable handle, useable regardless of which side of the coat is exposed when in the form of a cushion. A handy pocket in the handle may be used for cash, keys, sporting event tickets, etc. 
         [0014]    None of the above inventions, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the concept of the present disclosure as claimed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The invention outlined in the disclosure comprises a roll-up covering such as a blanket with a belt assembly that is worn around the waist of the wearer. The belt is preferably a one-inch wide strap of webbing or other suitable material with a buckle that adjusts to the waist size of the wearer. An upper covering portion and a lower covering portion are attached to the strap opposite the buckle. 
         [0016]    The upper and lower covering portions may constitute a single covering attached to the strap near the center line of the covering. If the upper and lower covering portions are separate, each can be attached to the strap at an edge, with each portion extending in opposite directions from the strap. 
         [0017]    To use the covering and belt assembly as an outer protective covering, the wearer can fasten the belt around his/her waist. The upper covering portion extends up the wearer&#39;s back, over the wearer&#39;s shoulders and down the wearer&#39;s chest. The upper covering portion includes a central slot extending from the edge opposite the belt into which the wearer&#39;s neck fits. There may be fasteners along the edge of the slot, similar to those of a jacket, to maintain the slot closed over the wearer&#39;s chest. The wearer&#39;s arms extend out the sides of the upper covering portion. The lower covering portion extends down the back of the wearer&#39;s legs and has sufficient width to wrap around the legs. The edges of the lower covering portion adjacent the edge attached to the strap may include fasteners to maintain the lower covering portion securely over the wearer&#39;s legs. 
         [0018]    Each covering portion may include a storage pouch secured to each covering portion adjacent to the point of attachment to the waist strap. The pouch may include a zipper, or similar closure mechanism, that allows each covering portion to be rolled up, folded up, or otherwise stuffed into its respective pouch. The mode used in transportation may be denoted as the non deployed mode or transport configuration. With each covering portion within the respective pouch, the assembly is worn around the wearer&#39;s waist with the pouches at or near the small of the wearer&#39;s back. Thus, the covering portions are out of the way for transport, but readily available when needed. 
         [0019]    It would be advantageous to provide a means for covering and protecting both the upper body and legs of the wearer. 
         [0020]    It would also be advantageous to provide a covering which may also be configured as a seat cushion. 
         [0021]    It would further be advantageous to provide a covering which can be transformed from being worn as part of a belt to being fully deployed without removing the belt from the wearer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the garment of the of the present invention being worn; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a spread layout view of one embodiment of the garment without a wearer; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a spread layout view of an alternate embodiment of the garment without a wearer; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the garment in a stowed state; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a back perspective view of the lower portion in a stowed state; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the lower portion in a stowed state; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the lower portion in a first stage of opening; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the lower portion in a next stage of opening; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 9   a  through  9   h  show a method for deployment of a lower portion to form a lap covering; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9   a  is a side perspective view of a wearer with a lower portion in a stowed configuration; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9   b  is a front perspective view of a wearer with a lower portion in front of the wearer; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 9   c  and  9   d  are front partial close-up perspective views of a wearer opening the lower portion stowing pouch; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9   e  is a front partial close-up perspective view of a wearer unfurling the lower portion; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 9   f  and  9   g  are front partial close-up perspective views of a wearer wrapping the lower portion around the torso; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9   h  is a partial close-up perspective view of a wearer coupling the lower portion to form a lap covering; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 10   a  through  10   h  show a method for deployment of a lower portion to form a seat cushion; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10   a  is a front perspective view of a wearer opening the lower portion stowing pouch; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10   b  is a front perspective view of a wearer unfurling the lower portion; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 10   c  and  10   d  are front perspective views of a wearer folding the lower portion back on itself; 
           [0042]      FIG. 10   e  is a front perspective view of a wearer folding the bottom of the lower portion toward the attachment portion; 
           [0043]      FIG. 10   f  is a front perspective view of a wearer fastening the bottom of the lower portion to attachment points on the on the lower portion; 
           [0044]      FIG. 10   g  is a back perspective view of a wearer twisting the configured lower portion to the back of the wearer; 
           [0045]      FIG. 10   h  is a front perspective view of a wearer enjoying the configured seat cushion; 
           [0046]      FIG. 11   a  is a schematic view of a portion using an asymmetrical arrangement and in a stowed state; 
           [0047]      FIG. 11   b  is a schematic view of an upper portion using a symmetrical arrangement and in an intermediate stage of opening; 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       [0000]    
       
           10 —upper portion 
           11 —body 
           12 —upper stowing pouch 
           14 —fasteners 
           16 —crew neck 
           18 —closing means 
           20 —gather 
           22 —arm receptacles 
           24 —sleeve 
           26 —hood 
           40 —lower portion 
           41   a —free end 
           41   b —secured end 
           42 —lower stowing pouch 
           44 —closing means 
           46 —attachment port 
           48 —flare 
           50 —integral divisor 
           51 —fold line 
           52 —symmetrical configuration 
           54 —asymmetrical configuration 
           56 —cushion configuration 
           60 —attachment portion 
           62 —buckle apparatus 
           64 —belt apparatus 
           65 —coupler 
           66 —belt snap 
           68 —garment snap 
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0076]      FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention being worn. The major components of the invention comprising an upper portion  10 , attached to the wearer through an attachment portion  60  with a lower portion  40  connected to at least one of the upper portion  10  and the attachment portion  60 . The attachment portion  60  can be comprised of a belt apparatus  64  which can be a; drawstring, pull relief, or other similar fastening means typically used to adapt a garment to the wearer. 
         [0077]    In  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of the garment is opened up to show several advantages of the present invention. The upper portion  10  may be comprised of a body  11  constructed of sheet material such as; plastic, cloth, quilted material, insulated cloth, and such, having fasteners  14  for closure; which may be snaps, zippers, Velcro® or the like, and a crew neck  16  for the ease and comfort of the user. The upper portion  10  is able to be stowed with in an upper stowing pouch  12  when not being worn. 
         [0078]    An alternate embodiment of the upper portion  10 , which is preferred to the first embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3 . This embodiment comprises and tube type construction which can provide more warmth to the core of the body. This embodiment has an upper portion  10  comprising a body  11  having arm receptacles  22 , which may be a slit or oval for the arm to fit through and may also include a Velcro® fastener to close the arm receptacle  22 , when the arms are retracted inside the body  11  for extra warmth. The arm receptacles  22  may further comprise a sleeve  24  as desired, but can function adequately without them. 
         [0079]    The upper portion  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , may be stored in an upper stowing pouch  12 , and the lower portion  40  may be stored in a lower storing pouch  42  which are connected with an attachment portion  60  which is typically a belt apparatus  64 ; which may be a belt, a rope, webbing, or other similar means, typically joined with a buckle apparatus  62  when not being deployed. The upper portion  10  can be used separate from, or be firmly connected with, the lower portion  40  through an attachment portion  60  located approximately in the middle of the garment. It can also be stored, in a lower stowing pouch  42  when not being worn. 
         [0080]    Both the upper stowing pouch  12  and the lower stowing pouch  22  can be connected through the belt portion  32  which is provided with a buckle  30  or other fastening means and be worn by the user. 
         [0081]    Several features of the system will become apparent upon review of  FIGS. 5 through 8 .  FIG. 5  shows a view of a lower portion  40  of the garment in a stowed state. This view shows the portion which is typically in contact with the wearer. The lower stowing pouch  42  is preferred to be freely, or slidably, attached to the attachment portion  60  through a series of attachment ports  46  for reasons which will become apparent as the disclosure progresses. In  FIG. 5  it can be seen that the lower stowing pouch  42  is relatively centered relative to the two ends of the belt apparatus  64 . In  FIG. 6 , which views the portion of the lower stowing pouch  42  typically distal to the wearer, the lower stowing pouch  42  is located more adjacent to one of the buckle apparatus  62 . In this case the lower stowing pouch  42  occupies roughly half of the length of the belt apparatus  64 . As the lower portion  40  is opened, as shown in  FIG. 7 , it fills the remaining length of the belt apparatus  64 , and may further be anchored by means of a garment snap  68 , such as a; button, snap, Velcro® fastener or the like. The lower portion  40  can be seen to be folded so as to be stowed inside the lower stowing pouch  42  when not deployed. To deploy, the lower portion  40  is unfurled to drape around the body of the wearer as shown in  FIG. 8 . For ease in use and added utility, the lower portion  40  may comprise an integral divider  50 , which may be in the form of a seam, marking, line, or other such pattern to help the wearer in folding the lower portion  40  for storage between deployments. Further, a flare  48  which may be a triangle or other such wedge shape, may be used to extend the reach of the lower portion  40  around the wearer during deployment. Further, the lower portion  40  may comprise a fold line in the form of a seam, marking, line, or other such pattern running vertically along the perimeter of one or both sides of the lower portion  40 , and generally in concert with the flare  48  and the inner perimeter of the lower stowing pouch, to further aid the user in folding the lower portion  40 . It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that in addition to folding the lower portion  40  for storage, other means such as stuffing, rolling, or drawing the lower portion  40  into a storage position may also be used. 
         [0082]    While the prior art requires the wearer to remove the belt or shoulder garment from the wearer before deployment, this system does not.  FIGS. 9   a  through  9   h  shows a method of deployment for the lower portion  40  from the position of a fanny pack to form a lap covering. The wearer twists the lower stowing pouch  42  to the front of the body, actuates the closing means  44  to open the lower stowing pouch  42 , unfolds the lower portion by grasping the free end  41   a,  while the secure end  41   b  remains attached to the wearer, and unfurls the lower portion  40  as shown in  FIG. 9   e.  The wearer then wraps the free end  41  a around the torso, while generally twisting the belt apparatus  64  such that the buckle apparatus  62  comes to the front of the body. At this point the lower stowing pouch  42  should be located behind and next to the wearer. The wearer may then engage the coupler  65 , which may comprise a Velcro® fastener, snap, button or such to close the lower portion  40  around the body. 
         [0083]    In yet another deployment of the system the lower portion  40  may be configured as a seat cushion as shown in  FIGS. 10   a  through  10   h.  The wearer may start by opening the lower stowing pouch  42  in front of the body, then unfurl the lower portion. Instead of wrapping free end  41   a  around the torso, the wearer folds the free end  41   a  back on itself to meet the corner of the secured end  41   b  as shown in  FIG. 10   d.  Then, if desired, the wearer may fold the bottom of the lower portion  40  toward the attachment portion  60  to double the thickness as seen in  FIG. 10   e  and  10   f.  Fasteners or attachment points may be added to facilitate holding the lower portion in this position. The configured seat cushion is then twisted in back of the body and used to soften and insulate the seat in a stadium, for example, again without the need of removing the lower portion from the body. 
         [0084]    Additionally, if the wearer desires for some reason, for example, to momentarily leave a stadium seat to take a small child to the rest room, the lower portion may be left behind by unbuckling the buckle apparatus, or more preferably, to remain strapped to the wearer. This leaves the hands of the wearer free while taking the covering with them thus eliminating the concern that the wearer will return to a cushion or lap covering on the stadium floor having been walked on, and spilled on, or rained on. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0085]    Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. The invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0086]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.