CONVERTIBLE GARMENT

A convertible garment is selectively configurable for use in a variety of situations. The garment includes a panel and a plurality of handles. The panel includes a first section having a first outer edge portion that defines a first space, a second section having a second outer edge portion that defines a second space, and a body section between the first section and the second section. The body section has an inner edge portion that defines a head opening. The handles extend mediolaterally between a first side of the panel and a second side of the panel such that one or more first handles coupled to the first outer edge portion include a first medial portion exposable at the first space and one or more second handles coupled to the second outer edge portion include a second medial portion exposable at the second space.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor gear and/or other equipment may be used to heighten positive aspects of an outdoor experience and/or mitigate negative aspects of the outdoor experience. In this manner, a collection of known outdoor gear may be selected to manage a wide range of situations. For example, known ponchos may be selected in preparation for inclement weather, known hammocks may be selected in preparation for relaxation, and known stretchers may be selected in preparation for physical injury. Bringing a collection of at least some known outdoor gear, however, may be inconvenient, arduous, and/or costly, particularly when the outdoor experience is lengthy and/or in a remote location.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a garment is provided for use in a variety of situations. The garment includes a panel and a plurality of handles. The panel includes a first section having a first outer edge portion that defines a first space, a second section having a second outer edge portion that defines a second space, and a body section between the first section and the second section. The body section has an inner edge portion that defines a head opening. The handles include one or more first handles coupled to the first outer edge portion and one or more second handles coupled to the second outer edge portion. The handles extend mediolaterally between a first side of the panel and a second side of the panel such that the first handles include a first medial portion exposable at the first space and the second handles include a second medial portion exposable at the second space.

In another aspect, a convertible garment is provided. The convertible garment includes a panel, a plurality of handles, and a hood. The panel has a first side edge portion at a first side of the panel, a second side edge portion at a second side of the panel, a plurality of outer edge portions extending between the first side of the panel and the second side of the panel, and an inner edge portion defining a head opening. The outer edge portions define at least a first space and a second space. The handles are coupled to the outer edge portions and extend between the first side and the second side. The handles include at least a first handle exposable at the first space and a second handle exposable at the second space. The hood has a lower edge portion coupled to the inner edge portion of the panel. The convertible garment is convertible between a poncho configuration and a stretcher configuration.

In yet another aspect, a method is provided for fabricating a convertible garment. The method includes providing a panel that has a first outer edge portion defining a first space, a second outer edge portion defining a second space, and an inner edge portion defining a head opening. One or more first handles are coupled to the first outer edge portion such that the first handles are exposable at the first space and extend mediolaterally between a first side of the panel and a second side of the panel. One or more second handles are coupled to the second outer edge portion such that the second handles are exposable at the second space and extend mediolaterally between the first side of the panel and the second side of the panel. A hood is coupled to the inner edge portion of the panel.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Although specific features may be shown in some of the drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the examples described herein, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to outdoor gear and, more particularly, to a garment that is convertible between a plurality of configurations. Examples described herein include a garment that may be selectively converted into one of a plurality of configurations for use in a particular situation. The garment may be used, for example, as a poncho for protection from inclement weather, as a hammock for a place to relax, and/or as a stretcher for transporting one or more objects, including an injured person. In this manner, the examples described herein enable a user to conveniently, efficiently, and/or effectively be prepared for a wide range of situations.

In at least some examples, the garment includes a panel including outer sections and a body section between the outer edge portions. The outer sections have outer edge portions defining slits, cutouts, indentations, or some other form of negative space (hereinafter referred to as “spaces” and individually as a “space”), and the body section has an inner edge portion defining a head opening. A plurality of handles may be coupled to the panel. The handles may extend, for example, mediolaterally across the panel such that the handles are at least partially exposed at the spaces. While the examples described herein are described using a rectangular-shaped panel and rectangular-shaped handles, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand and appreciate that the panel and/or handles may have one or more of a wide variety of configurations that enable a user to use the garment as described herein.

FIGS. 1 and 2show an example garment100in a poncho configuration. The garment100includes a panel110and a plurality of handles120coupled to the panel110. The panel110may be fabricated, for example, from a waterproof material such that the panel110is configured to prevent or restrict at least some liquid (e.g., water) from passing through the panel110. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the panel110may be fabricated from a breathable material such that the panel110is configured to allow at least some gas (e.g., air) to pass through the panel110. The garment100is selectively convertible between the poncho configuration, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, and one or more other configurations, including a hammock configuration and a stretcher configuration, which are described in detail below.

The panel110has a first surface122and a second surface124opposite the first surface122. When the garment100is used as a poncho, the first surface122is oriented to face generally in an outward direction (i.e., away from the user), and the second surface124is oriented to face generally in an inward direction (i.e., toward the user). Alternatively, the garment100may be worn by the user such that the second surface124is oriented to face generally in the outward direction, and the first surface122is oriented to face generally in the inward direction. In some examples, at least one area of the first surface122has a first color or pattern (e.g., a plurality of colors arranged in a camouflage pattern), and at least one area of the second surface124has a second color or pattern different from the first color or pattern (e.g., a single color). The first surface122and second surface124may have differing colors or patterns to enable the user to selectively blend in with an environment. For example, the first color or pattern may allow the user to blend in with a first environment (e.g., with natural features, such as grass, trees, dirt, sand, snow, and/or water) while the second color or pattern may allow the user to stand out in the first environment and/or blend in with a second environment different from the first environment. In other words, the colors or patterns may have one or more distinct functions in that various light waves may be absorbed or reflected by the first surface122and/or second surface124differently.

In some examples, a hood130is coupled to the panel110. A lower edge portion132of the hood130, for example, may be coupled to an inner edge portion134of the panel110. The hood130includes a front edge portion136(shown inFIG. 1) defining a face opening138(shown inFIG. 1). To use the garment100as a poncho, a head of the user may be extended or inserted through a head opening (shown inFIG. 3) defined by the inner edge portion134of the panel110, and the garment100may be oriented such that a first outer edge portion140of the panel110extends mediolaterally across a front of the user and a second outer edge portion142of the panel110extends mediolaterally across a back of the user.

While the garment100is being used as a poncho, the hood130may be selectively pulled up over the head of the user, such that the front edge portion136of the hood130generally circumscribes a face of the user (i.e., the face of the user is oriented to face outward through the face opening138), or pulled down behind the head of the user, such that the front edge portion136generally circumscribes a neck of the user (i.e., the neck of the user extends through the face opening138). In some examples, a drawstring144(shown inFIG. 1) extends through a channel defined by the front edge portion136of the hood130. The drawstring144may be used (e.g., by pulling on the drawstring144) to selectively tighten or close the face opening138(i.e., move the front edge portion136toward a contracted configuration). In this manner, the drawstring144may be used to facilitate increasing an amount of protection from the ambient environment.

One or more coupling mechanisms150may be coupled to the panel110along a first side edge portion152at a first side154of the panel110and a second side edge portion156at a second side158of the panel110such that the coupling mechanisms150are configured to selectively couple the first side edge portion152to second side edge portion156. In this manner, the coupling mechanisms150may be used to facilitate increasing an amount of protection from the ambient environment. The coupling mechanisms150may include, for example, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, and/or any other fastener that enables the first side edge portion152of the panel110to be coupled to the second side edge portion156of the panel110.

In some examples, one or more identifiers160are coupled to the panel110. Identifiers160include information that may be used to identify the garment100or the user of the garment100. The identifiers160may be removably coupled to the first surface122and/or second surface124, for example, using one or more coupling mechanisms162. The coupling mechanisms162may include, for example, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, and/or any other fastener that enables the identifiers160to be coupled to the panel110. Additionally or alternatively, at least some of the identifiers160may be fixedly coupled (e.g., glued, sewn, sealed, stapled) to the panel110. The identifiers160may include, for example, a name badge, an infrared (IR) tag, a near field communication (NFC) tag, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and/or any other device that enables the garment100, or the user of the garment100, to be identified.

FIGS. 3, 3A, and 4show the garment100in an open or first hammock configuration, andFIG. 5shows an outer edge portion of the garment100(e.g., first outer edge portion140, second outer edge portion142) in a cinched or second hammock configuration. The panel110includes a first section200, a second section210, and a body section220between the first section200and the second section210. The first section200, second section210, and/or body section220extend mediolaterally between the first side154of the panel110and the second side158of the panel110. The first section200has the first outer edge portion140, which defines a first space222. The second section210has the second outer edge portion142, which defines a second space224. The body section220has the inner edge portion134, which defines the head opening226.

The handles120include one or more first handles230coupled to the first outer edge portion140, and one or more second handles232coupled to the second outer edge portion142. First handles230and/or second handles232may include one or more lateral portions234extending beyond a periphery of the panel110(e.g., beyond the first side154, beyond the second side158). Additionally, the first handles230and/or second handles232may include one or more medial portions236extending between the first side154and the second side158. The medial portions236may extend, for example, in or across the first space222and/or second space224. In this manner, one or more first handles230may be at least partially exposed at the first space222, and/or one or more second handles232may be at least partially exposed at the second space224. The medial portions236at an outer edge portion of the garment100(e.g., first outer edge portion140, second outer edge portion142) may be coupled to each other. In some examples, the handles120are symmetrical about a longitudinal axis238of the panel110(e.g., a center axis).

The first handles230and/or second handles232may include one or more segments that extend through one or more channels240(shown inFIG. 3) defined by one or more sleeves242at the first outer edge portion140and/or second outer edge portion142, respectively. In some examples, the channels240and sleeves242are formed by folding one or more tabs244extending longitudinally away from the body section220back toward the body section220and coupling an end portion246of each tab244to the second surface124. The tabs244may be folded such that a root portion248of each tab244remains extended longitudinally away from the body section220. In this manner, the first space222may be defined between a first pair of tabs244that form a first pair of sleeves242at the first outer edge portion140, and/or the second space224may be defined between a second pair of tabs244that form a second pair of sleeves242at the second outer edge portion142.

In some examples, the garment100includes a plurality of cords250at the first outer edge portion140and/or second outer edge portion142. Each cord250includes a fixed end segment252, a free end segment254, and a body segment256between the fixed end segment252and the free end segment254. In some examples, the fixed end segment252of each cord250is fixedly coupled to a respective anchoring mechanism260of a plurality of anchoring mechanisms260at a first lateral end262of a respective sleeve242(e.g., a “first” sleeve). At least some of the fixed end segment252may extend through an opening defined by the anchoring mechanism260for coupling the cord250to the anchoring mechanism260. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, the fixed end segment252may be directly coupled to the anchoring mechanism260using a girth hitch knot.

The cords250may be used to selectively tighten or cinch the panel110at the sleeves242(i.e., move the first outer edge portion140and/or second outer edge portion142toward a contracted configuration), as shown inFIG. 5. In some examples, the body segment256of each cord250extends through one or more channels240defined by one or more respective sleeves242(e.g., including the first sleeve), and the free end segment254of each cord250is free from the channels240. When the free end segment254is pulled or moved to increase a tension in the cord250, a portion of the body segment256at or adjacent to a second lateral end264of the sleeves242(e.g., an opposing lateral end of the first sleeve or of another sleeve) may be pulled away from and/or become free from the channels240at the second lateral end264, decreasing a proportion of the body segment256remaining in the channels240and/or increasing a proportion of the body segment256free from the channels240. In this manner, when a portion of the free end segment254at or adjacent to the second lateral end264is pulled or moved toward the first lateral end262, the body segment256may move or urge the second lateral end264toward the first lateral end262, decreasing a distance spanned by the sleeves242.

In some examples, the body segment256of each cord250is coupled to a respective securing mechanism266at or adjacent to the second lateral end264such that the body segment256is configured to move or urge the securing mechanism266toward the first lateral end262. At least some of the body segment256may extend through an opening defined by the securing mechanism266such that the cord250at least partially wraps around the securing mechanism266. In some examples, the securing mechanisms266have the same or a similar physical makeup or configuration as that of the anchoring mechanisms260. The anchoring mechanisms260and securing mechanisms266may include, for example, a webbing material (e.g., flat webbing) formed in a circular, loop, U-shaped, or other at least partially closed shape that enables a cord250to be coupled thereto.

The free end segment254of each cord250may be selectively coupled to a respective retaining mechanism268of a plurality of retaining mechanisms268. At least some of the free end segment254may be positioned in the retaining mechanism268for coupling the cord250to the retaining mechanism268. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the free end segment254may be positioned in a cavity defined by the retaining mechanism268. When a portion of the free end segment254at or adjacent to the second lateral end264is pulled or moved toward the first lateral end262, at least some of the free end segment254may extend through an opening defined by the anchoring mechanism260, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. To secure the garment100in the second hammock configuration, the free end segment254may be directly coupled to the anchoring mechanism260using a shoelace knot.

FIG. 6shows the garment100in a stretcher configuration. The garment100may be folded from the open configuration, for example, to form a longitudinal edge portion302extending along the longitudinal axis238of the panel110. The first side edge portion152may be securely coupled to the second side edge portion156, for example, using the coupling mechanisms150. When the garment100is in the stretcher configuration, the first space222and second space224are at the longitudinal edge portion302opposite the first side edge portion152and/or second side edge portion156and provide access to the handles120at the longitudinal edge portion302.

FIGS. 7A-EandFIGS. 8A-Cshow example securing mechanisms that may be used to secure the garment100and/or the hood130, for example. As shown inFIGS. 7A-E, the garment100may include one or more securing mechanisms410configured to retain the hood130in a rolled or stowed configuration. The securing mechanisms410may be coupled, for example, to a lower edge portion132of the hood130and/or to an inner edge portion134of the panel110. In some examples, the securing mechanisms410includes a strap412and a coupling mechanism414configured to engage the strap412. For example, the coupling mechanism414may engage another coupling mechanism414that is attached or secured to the strap412. The hood130may be rolled toward the stowed configuration, and the strap412may at least partially wrap around the hood130and be coupled to the coupling mechanism414(e.g., using a complementary coupling mechanism414) for retaining the hood130in the stowed configuration. The coupling mechanism414may include, for example, a snap, a button, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, and/or any other fastener that enables the coupling mechanism414to engage the strap412.

As shown inFIGS. 8A-8C, the garment100may include one or more securing mechanisms420configured to retain the garment100and/or hood130in a twisted or stowed configuration. In some examples, the securing mechanisms420includes a strap422and a coupling mechanism424configured to engage the strap422. For example, the garment100may be twisted toward the stowed configuration, and the strap422may at least partially wrap around the garment100and be coupled to the coupling mechanism424for garment100in the stowed configuration. The coupling mechanism424may include, for example, a strap adjuster, a slide, a buckle, a hook fastener, a loop fastener, and/or any other fastener that enables the coupling mechanism424to engage the strap422.

The garment100may be fabricated, for example, by providing a panel110that includes a first section200having a first outer edge portion140that defines a first space222, a second section210having a second outer edge portion142that defines a second space224, and a body section220having an inner edge portion134that defines a head opening226. The outer edge portion140and/or second outer edge portion142extend mediolaterally between a first side154and a second side158of the panel110.

One or more first handles230are coupled to the first outer edge portion140, and one or more second handles232are coupled to the second outer edge portion142. The first handles230may extend, for example, across the first space222and mediolaterally between the first side154and second side158of the panel110. Additionally, the second handles232may extend across the second space224and mediolaterally between the first side154and second side158of the panel110. First handles230and/or second handles232may be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis238of the panel110. In some examples, the first handles230and/or second handles232extend beyond a periphery of the panel110(e.g., beyond the first side154and/or second side158).

A hood130is coupled to the inner edge portion134of the panel110. The hood130may be coupled to the panel110, for example, along its lower edge portion132. In some examples, a plurality of securing mechanisms410and/or securing mechanisms420configured to secure the garment100and/or hood130in a stowed configuration are coupled to the panel110. Additionally or alternatively, a plurality of coupling mechanisms150configured to couple a first side edge portion152of the panel110to a second side edge portion156of the panel110may be coupled to the panel along the first side edge portion152at the first side154and/or second side edge portion156at the second side158.

An end segment (e.g., fixed end segment252) of a cord250may be coupled to an anchoring mechanism260at a first lateral end262of one or more sleeves242, and a free end segment254of the cord250may be extended through one or more channels240defined by the sleeves242and through an opening defined by a securing mechanism266at a second lateral end264of the one or more sleeves242such that a body segment256of the cord250extends through the channels240and/or the free end segment254is free from the channels240. The free end segment254may be stowed or positioned, for example, in a retaining mechanism268coupled to the panel110. In some examples, the channels240and/or sleeves242are formed by folding an end portion246of each tab244back toward the body section220and coupling the end portion246to a corresponding root portion248. For example, a first channel240defined by a first sleeve242may be formed by folding a first tab244, and a second channel240defined by a second sleeve242may be formed by folding a second tab244.

FIG. 9shows another example garment500in an open configuration. The garment500includes components or features that are the same as or similar to the components or features of the garment100. For example, the garment500includes a panel510, a plurality of handles520, and a hood530that are the same as or similar to the panel110, handles120, and hood130, respectively. However, there are some differences between the garments100and500and their respective components or features.

For example, the handles520of the garment500includes a pair of first handles630(e.g., a left first handle and a right first handle) and a pair of second handles632(e.g., a left second handle and a right second handle). In some examples, each first handle630and/or second handle632includes a lateral portion634proximate a side edge portion of the panel510(e.g., first side edge portion552, second side edge portion556) and a medial portion636proximate a longitudinal axis638of the panel510(e.g., a center axis).

The handles520may extend within a periphery or footprint of the panel510and/or be generally covered by the panel510. Lateral corner portions901of the panel510, for example, may extend laterally beyond a lateral reach of the lateral portions634of the handles520(e.g., a distance spanned by the lateral portions634is less than a lateral width of the panel510). Additionally, a first space622and/or second space624defined by medial corner portions903of the panel510may be free from the handles520. For example, the medial corner portions903may extend medially beyond a medial reach of the medial portions636of the handles520(e.g., a gap between the medial portions636of the handles520is greater than a gap between the medial corner portions903of the panel510).

The medial corner portions903are movable to selectively increase or change a size and/or shape of the first space622and/or second space624. In this manner, the handles520may be at least partially exposed. For example, the medial corner portions903may be folded to increase the size of the first space622and/or second space624and selectively expose at least a part of a medial portion636of a first handle630and/or second handle632, respectively. In this manner, a medial portion636may be covered by the panel510when a medial corner portion903is in an extended configuration, and extend at least partially in or across the first space622or second space624when the medial corner portion903is in a folded configuration.

Additionally, one or more lateral corner portions901are movable to selectively expose at least a part of a lateral portion634of a handle520. The lateral portions634of the handles520may be exposed, for example, when the garment500is in a hammock configuration, as shown inFIG. 10. A cord, rope, webbing, and/or carabiner (e.g., cord250) is extendable through a handle opening that is defined by at least one handle520. In the hammock configuration, the garment500is suspended between a first end (e.g., at a first outer edge portion540), where a first cord, rope, webbing, and/or carabiner (e.g., cord250) may be extended through the first handles630for supporting the garment500at the first end, and an opposing second end (e.g., at a second outer edge portion542), where a second cord, rope, webbing, and/or carabiner (e.g., cord250) may be extended through the second handles632for supporting the garment500at the second end.

FIG. 11shows a corner portion including a grommet or opening905. In some examples, an opening905is defined through the panel510at each lateral corner portion901. The openings905may be sized and/or shaped to receive one or more ropes or cords (e.g., cord250). Cords may be extended through the openings905, for example, to facilitate securing the garment500in a tent configuration, as shown inFIG. 12. In the tent configuration, the garment500is held or urged upward along a longitudinal center portion of the panel510(e.g., a longitudinal edge portion702), where a first rope, cord, or webbing (e.g., cord250) may be extended under the longitudinal center portion of the panel510and generally along the longitudinal axis638, and pulled or urged downward at the lateral corner portions901, where a respective second rope or cord (e.g., cord250) may be extended through an opening905at each lateral corner portion901.

FIG. 13shows a corner portion including a support mechanism907. In some examples, the handles520include one or more support mechanisms907that facilitate securing the handles520to the panel510. In some examples, the support mechanisms907bifurcate or distinguish the lateral portions634and/or medial portion636from a segment909of the handle520extending between the lateral portion634and the medial portion636. For example, the handle520may include a support mechanism907extending across a base911of the lateral portion634or medial portion636. In some examples, each support mechanism907extends longitudinally at or proximate a respective side edge portion of the panel510(e.g., first side edge portion552, second side edge portion556) between the first handle630and second handle632. For example, a pair of support mechanisms907may extend longitudinally at or proximate the side edge portions between a first end (e.g., at the first outer edge portion540) and an opposing second end (e.g., at the second outer edge portion542) to couple the first handle630to the second handle632.

FIG. 14shows an edge portion of the garment500including a sleeve913. The garment500may include one or more sleeves913at or proximate to one or more side edge portions of the panel510(e.g., first side edge portion552, second side edge portion556). As shown inFIG. 9, the sleeves913may be spaced from each other. In some examples, a first set of sleeves913at or proximate the first side edge portion552and a second set of sleeves913at or proximate the second side edge portion556are arranged such that they interleave when the first side edge portion552and second side edge portion556are in line with each other (e.g., when the garment500is folded along the longitudinal axis238).

Each sleeve913defines a channel915sized and/or shaped to receive an elongated member917, as shown inFIG. 15, to facilitate securing the garment500in the tent configuration as shown inFIG. 10and/or in a reinforced stretcher configuration as shown inFIG. 16. Example elongated members917may include, without limitation, a cord (e.g., cord250), rod, pole, and/or any other mechanism that enables the garment500to function as described herein. In the reinforced stretcher configuration, an elongated member917extends through one or more sleeves913along the side edge portions of the panel510, and another elongated member917extends along a longitudinal edge portion702formed from folding the garment500along the longitudinal axis238. As shown inFIG. 17, the garment500may also be used in a stretcher configuration without one or more elongated members917, similar to the stretcher configuration shown inFIG. 6.

Example garments are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The garments described herein may be convertible, for example, between a plurality of configurations, including a poncho configuration, a hammock configuration, a stretcher configuration, a reinforced stretcher configuration, and/or a tent configuration. This written description uses examples to disclose aspects of the disclosure and also to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the aspects, including making or using the above-described components, assemblies, and/or systems and executing or performing the above-described operations. For example, the examples described herein include a panel and a plurality of handles coupled to the panel. The panel may have, for example, an inner edge portion that enables the garment to be used as a poncho and/or outer edge portions that enable the garment to be used as a hammock and/or as a stretcher. Accordingly, the present disclosure is related to a garment that is selectively convertible into one of a plurality of configurations in a convenient, efficient, and/or effective manner.

When introducing elements of the disclosure or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. References to an “embodiment” or an “example” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments or examples that also incorporate the recited features. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be elements other than the listed elements. The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.”

Having described aspects of the disclosure in terms of various examples with their associated operations, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. That is, aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the specific examples described herein, and all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, components of the systems described herein and/or operations of the methods described herein may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or operations.

Moreover, the methods described herein may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed, and the order of execution or performance of the operations described herein is not essential unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be executed or performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of the disclosure.

The scope of the disclosure may also include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. A person skilled in the art would appreciate, for example, that a combination of operations from any number of different examples is within the scope of the disclosure if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims and/or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.