Abstract:
The present invention developed the MP3 jackets for carrying MP3 players with wireless remote control. Using the present invention, the MP3 player, wireless remote control, and jacket/pullover can be easily assembled and replaced individually. The present invention generally relates to MP3 jacket, pullover or the like garment article of the type having a body, a collar or a hood and two sleeves. In one preferred embodiment, the MP3 jacket, pullover or the like garment has a first pocket for carrying a MP3 player, a second pocket for carrying wireless remote control for the MP3 player, and a collar or hood for supporting the earpiece set. In another preferred embodiment, the MP3 jacket, pullover or the like garment has a first carrying means for carrying a MP3 player, a second carrying means for carrying wireless remote control for MP3 player, and a collar or hood for supporting the earpiece set.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to MP3 jacket, pullover or the like garment article of the type having a body, a collar or a hood and two sleeves. In one preferred embodiment, the MP3 jacket, pullover or the like garment has a first pocket for carrying a MP3 player, a second pocket for carrying wireless remote control device for the MP3 player, and a collar or hood for supporting the earpiece. In another preferred embodiment, the MP3 jacket, pullover or the like garment has a first carrying means for carrying a MP3 player, a second carrying means for carrying wireless remote control device for MP3 player, and a collar or hood for supporting the earpiece.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Art  
         [0004]     Outerwear garment articles such as jackets or pullovers worn on the upper region of the human body generally comprises a body, two sleeves and, a collar or a hood. The outerwear garment articles such as jackets or pullovers are often used when the users are engaging outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, bicycling, hiking, mountain climbing, rollerblading, and so forth. Often in times the users who are engaging in these types of activities would like to listen to music along side of these outdoor activities. MP3 players are often chosen by the users because they are simple and small, easy to use and carry. It would be advantages if the jackets or pullovers can easily secure the MP3 players and provide easy ways to control the players so the users may carry on their activities without interruption for controlling the MP3 players.  
         [0005]     Several manufacturers have provided products that integrated the music players with the jackets. For example, Burton Amp by Burton Snowboards and Apple provides a wearable electronic jacket with an integrated iPod control system. The Burton Amp is a durable waterproof GORE-TEX snowboarding jacket made for use with iPod, Apple&#39;s portable digital music player. The Burton Amp and Apple&#39;s iPod together enabled snowboarders and other active users to control their music from the sleeve of their jackets. The Burton Amp jacket integrates the iPod control system into the jacket using SOFTswitch technology, which consists interface module insider the jacket.  
         [0006]     “The Hub” Snowboard Jacket with Bluetooth by O&#39;Neill, features a chip module containing a full-feature MP3 player and a Bluetooth module for controlling a mobile phone, built by Infineon Technologies. Electrically conductive tracks woven into the fabric connect the chip module to a fabric keyboard and built-in speakers in the helmet. The “mp3blue” jacket by Rosner is made of woven electrically conductive fabric connecting to a textile keyboard on the left sleeve, to headphones, and to a microphone built into the collar.  
         [0007]     These products have a few disadvantages. Since the music players and the control tracks are built in to the jackets, it is difficult to disassemble the music players and control tracks from the jackets in order to clean the jacket. Since the jackets are specially designed for the music player, it is also difficult to replace the music player with a different model or type. Meanwhile, since the control tracks are built into the jackets, specific materials and made of the jackets are required, which raises the cost of the jackets.  
         [0008]     The objective of the present invention is to provide a MP3 jacket that is easy to use, functional, easy to take care of, and affordable. The distinctive features of the preferred embodiment of the current invention include incorporating the wireless remote control for MP3 player, inside patch pocket for MP3 player, see-through pocket on left sleeve for wireless remote control, and specially designed collar for holding the earphone. The present invention presents a convenient way to carry and control the MP3 player for users conducting outdoor sport activities, while providing a product that is easy to assemble and disassemble. In the present invention, it is easy to install and separate the MP3 player, earphone, and wireless remote control to and from the jacket when needed, and easy to take care the jacket and the electronic devices so to extend the life span of the product. By eliminating the electronic tracks inside the jacket, the present invention allows different types of MP3 player to be used with the jacket, which significantly increases the flexibility of the product. In addition, the embodiment of the present invention does not require the jacket or pullover to be made by specific materials such as water-proof materials, and the designs are relatively simple. So the cost of the product will be significantly lower.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A main objective of the present invention is to provide a jacket or pullover or the like outerwear garment for carrying a music player wherein the music player is controlled by a wireless remote control.  
         [0010]     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a jacket or pullover or the like outerwear garment for carrying a music player wherein the music player and associated control devices can be easily dismounted from the garment.  
         [0011]     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a jacket or pullover or the like outerwear garment for carrying a music player wherein the earpiece of the music player is supported by the collar or hood of the garment.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a jacket comprises a jacket body with two front sections and one back section having an inner surface and an outer surface; the back section connected to two front sections which extend forward from the back section to form the jacket of a size appropriate to be worn by an human body; the two front sections having a zipper fastener means which interconnects and releases front edges of the two front sections so said jacket can be opened and closed; two long sleeves to be worn on the upper torso of a user; a first pocket suitable for bearing MP3 player disposed on the inner surface of the jacket body; a fastener means disposed to the inner surface of the jacket body mating with the top opening edge of the outer surface of the first pocket as a member for opening and closing the pocket and securing the weight of the MP3 player in the first pocket. The first pocket for MP3 player is preferably placed vertically. This position is for the purpose of holding the MP3 player in a secured way.  
         [0013]     Alternatively, a first carrying means for carrying the MP3 player is disposed on the outer surface of the jacket body. The first carrying means carries the weight of the MP3 player while allow certain degree of movement of the MP3 player.  
         [0014]     A second pocket suitable for bearing wireless remote control for the MP3 player is disposed to the outer surface of the jacket sleeve. The cover piece of the second pocket is made of transparent materials, such as vinyl, in order for the user to see the wireless remote control to operate the wireless remote control. A zipper fastener means which interconnects and releases opening edges of between the cover piece and the pocket base so that an opening can be formed and closed and securing the weight of the wireless remote control in the second pocket.  
         [0015]     Alternatively, a second carrying means for carrying the wireless remote control for MP3 player comprises a wrist band with a band fastener means for holding two ends of the wrist band together and holding on to the outer surface of the sleeve or the arm. The wrist band has a carrying portion for carrying the wireless remote control for MP3 player.  
         [0016]     A collar or a hood having an inner piece and an outer piece is connected to the top edges of the two front sections and the back section. A first opening and a second opening are formed on the inner piece. An earpiece set having two earpiece wires can be secured by the collar by having the first earpiece wire going through the first opening and positioned in between the inner and outer piece and coming out from the second opening.  
         [0017]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pullover comprises a body with one front section and one back section; the back section connected to the front section which extend forward from the back section to form the pullover of a size appropriate to be worn by an human body; the front section having an inner surface and an outer surface; two long sleeves to be worn on the upper torso of a user; a first pocket suitable for bearing MP3 player disposed on the inner surface of the front section; a fastener means disposed to the inner surface of the front section mating with the top opening edge of the outer surface of the first pocket as a member for opening and closing the pocket and securing the weight of the MP3 player in the first pocket. The first pocket for MP3 player is preferably placed vertically. This position is for the purpose of holding the MP3 player in a secured way.  
         [0018]     Alternatively, a first carrying means for carrying the MP3 player is disposed on the outer surface of the pullover body. The first carrying means carries the weight of the MP3 player while allow certain degree of movement of the MP3 player.  
         [0019]     A second pocket suitable for bearing wireless remote control for the MP3 player is disposed to the outer surface of the pullover sleeve. The cover piece of the second pocket is made of transparent materials, such as vinyl, in order for the user to see the wireless remote control to operate the wireless remote control. A zipper fastener means which interconnects and releases opening edges of between the cover piece and the pocket base so that an opening can be formed and closed and securing the weight of the wireless remote control in the second pocket.  
         [0020]     Alternatively, a second carrying means for carrying the wireless remote control for MP3 player comprises a wrist band with a band fastener means for holding two ends of the wrist band together and holding on to the outer surface of the sleeve or the arm. The wrist band has a carrying portion for carrying the wireless remote control for MP3 player.  
         [0021]     A collar or a hood having an inner piece and an outer piece is connected to the top edges of the front section and the back section. A first opening and a second opening are formed on the inner piece. An earpiece set having two earpiece wires can be secured by the collar by having the first earpiece wire going through the first opening and positioned in between the inner and outer piece and coming out from the second opening.  
         [0022]     The present invention provides MP3 jackets or pullovers for carrying MP3 players with wireless remote control. Using the present invention, the MP3 player, wireless remote control, and jacket or pullover can be easily assembled and replaced individually. In addition, the jackets or pullovers can be made of various types of materials, with little limitations. The cost is low, selling price could be low, and the usage of the product is broad and the life span of the product is long. These enable the users to enjoy their outdoor activities without burdens, and limitations. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates an inside view of the open MP3 jacket which shows the inner jacket surface and the placement of the first pocket and the second pocket.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of MP3 jacket.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a back view of MP3 jacket.  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a close up view of the first pocket of MP3 jacket.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a close up view of the second pocket of MP3 jacket.  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a close up view of the collar of MP3 jacket.  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of MP3 pullover and placement of the first pocket and second pocket.  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of MP3 pullover.  
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a close up view of the first pocket of MP3 pullover.  
         [0033]      FIG. 10  is a close up view of the second pocket of MP3 pullover.  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a close up view of the hood of MP3 pullover.  
         [0035]      FIG. 12  is a close up view of the first carrying means of MP3 player.  
         [0036]      FIG. 13  is a close up view of the second carrying means of wireless remote control of MP3 player. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  illustrate a preferred MP3 jacket  10  having a body  12 . The jacket  10  can be made of poplin, fleece, polar fleece, tricot, plated jersey, French terry, wool, velour, cotton terry, poly mesh, leather, nylon, cashmere, denim, twill, corduroy, and synthetic leather. The MP3 Jackets can use single needle stitch, cover stitch, and overlock stitch. The equivalent material for lining will be pellon, tricot, mesh and Cherokee.  
         [0038]     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the jacket  10  is formed with a left front section  16 , a right front section  14  and a back section  18 .  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  illustrate jacket  10  with right long sleeve  15  and left long sleeve  17 . The long sleeves  15  and  17  of jacket  10  have a pair of arm openings  100  and  102  respectively.  FIGS. 1 , and  2  illustrate a pair of zipper fastener  71  and  72 , which joins and releases the front edges of the two front sections  14  and  16  so that the jacket body  12  can be opened and closed.  
         [0039]     In general, the jacket has a front and a back defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The back of the jacket  10  is connected to the front to form a garment of a size appropriate to be worn on the torso of a human being.  
         [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front inside view of the inner surfaces  32 ,  34 ,  36  of the preferred MP3 jacket  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  4 , and  5 , a first pocket  60  suitable for bearing MP3 player P is stitched to the inner surface  36  of the left front section  16  of the jacket body  12 . A second pocket  80  suitable for bearing wireless remote control R for the MP3 player is stitched to the outer surface  42  of the left jacket sleeve  17 , the cover  82  of the second pocket is made of transparent materials, such as vinyl, in order for the user to see the wireless remote control R to operate the wireless remote control R.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 , the first pocket  60 , is preferably positioned vertical for best holding the MP3 player P.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first pocket stitched on to the inner surface  36  of the left front section  16  of the jacket body  12  comprises a first pocket body  62  and a first pocket cover  64 . A first pocket fastener means  66  joins and closes the first pocket opening  68  between the first pocket body  62  and the first pocket cover  64  and secures the weight of the MP3 player P in the first pocket  60 . MP3 player P is placed into said first pocket  60  through the first pocket openings  68 . MP3 player P can be any digital music player available in different sizes and shapes and can fit into the first pocket.  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  5 , the second pocket  80  stitched on to the surface  42  of the left sleeve  17  comprises a second pocket cover  82  which is made of transparent materials such as such as vinyl, in order for the user to see the remote control to operate the remote control, a second pocket base  86  to be attached to the second pocket cover  82  and stitched to the outer surface  42  of the left sleeve  17 . A second pocket fastener means  84  joins and closes the second pocket opening  88  between the second pocket cover  82  and the second pocket base  86  and secures the weight of the wireless remote control R in the second pocket  80 . The wireless remote control R can be any wireless remote control device that can control the respective digital music player P available in different sizes and shapes and can fit into the second pocket.  
         [0044]     As seen in  FIG. 4  and  5 , the first and second pocket fastener means may use zippers or VELCRO hook and loop fastener as a means for opening and closing the first pocket  60  and the second pocket  80 .  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  6 , a collar  19  having an inner piece  50  and an outer piece  52  is connected to the top edges of the front sections  14 , 16  and back section  18 . A first earpiece opening  58  and a second earpiece opening  59  are formed on the inner piece  50 . An earpiece set E having two earpiece wires E 1  and E 2  can be secured by the collar  19  by having first earpiece wire E 1  going through the first earpiece opening  58  and positioned in between the back surface  55  of inner piece  50  and front surface  56  of the outer piece  52  and coming out from the second opening  59 .  
         [0046]     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 7 , and  8  illustrate a preferred MP3 pullover  10 ′ having a body  12 ′. The pullover  10 ′ can be made of poplin, fleece, polar fleece, tricot, plated jersey, French terry, wool, velour, cotton terry, poly mesh, leather, nylon, cashmere, denim, twill, corduroy, and synthetic leather. The MP3 pullover  10 ′ can use single needle stitch, cover stitch, and overlock stitch. The equivalent material for lining will be pellon, tricot, mesh and Cherokee.  
         [0047]     As seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the pullover  10 ′ is formed with a front section  14 ′, and a back section  18 ′.  FIGS. 7 , and  8  illustrate pullover  10 ′ with a right long sleeve  15 ′ and a left long sleeve  17 ′. The right long sleeve  15 ′ and left long sleeve  17 ′ of pullover  10 ′ have a pair of arm openings  100 ′ and  102 ′ respectively. The front section  14 ′ and the back section  18 ′ can be integrated joint together or stitch together at the edges.  FIG. 7  illustrates a pair of opening fasteners  71 ′ and  72 ′ on the front section  14 ′ which joins and releases an opening cutting through the upper portion of the front section  14 ′.  
         [0048]     In general, the pullover has a front and a back defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The back of the pullover  10 ′ is connected to the front to form a garment of a size appropriate to be worn on the torso of a human being.  
         [0049]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the MP3 pullover  10 ′. Referring to  FIGS. 7, 9 , and  10 , a first pocket  60 ′ suitable for bearing MP3 player P′ is stitched to the inner surface  32 ′ of the front section  14 ′ of the pullover  10 ′. A second pocket  80 ′ suitable for bearing wireless remote control R′ for the MP3 player is stitched to the outer surface  42 ′ of the left sleeve  17 ′, the cover  82 ′ of the second pocket is made of transparent materials, such as vinyl, in order for the user to see the wireless remote control R′ to operate the wireless remote control R′.  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 , and  9 , the first pocket  60 ′, is preferably positioned vertical for best holding the MP3 player P′.  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the first pocket  60 ′ stitched on to the inner surface  32 ′ of the front section  14 ′ of the pullover  10 ′ comprises a first pocket body  62 ′ and a first pocket cover  64 ′. A first pocket fastener means  66 ′ joins and closes the first pocket opening  68 ′ between the first pocket body  62 ′ and the first pocket cover  64 ′ and secures the weight of the MP3 player P′ in the first pocket  60 ′. MP3 player P′ is placed into said first pocket  60 ′ through the first pocket openings  68 ′. MP3 player P′ can be any digital music player available in different sizes and shapes and can fit into the first pocket.  
         [0052]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 , and  10 , the second pocket  80 ′ stitched on to the outer surface  42 ′ of the left sleeve  17 ′ comprises a second pocket cover  82 ′ which is made of transparent materials such as such as vinyl, in order for the user to see the remote control to operate the remote control, a second pocket base  86 ′ to be attached to the second pocket cover  82 ′ and stitched to the outer surface  42 ′ of the left sleeve  17 ′. A second pocket fastener means  84 ′ joins and closes the second pocket opening  88 ′ between the second pocket cover  82 ′ and the second pocket base  86 ′ and secures the weight of the wireless remote control R′ in the second pocket  80 ′. The wireless remote control R′ can be any wireless remote control device that can control the respective digital music player P′ available in different sizes and shapes and can fit into the second pocket.  
         [0053]     As seen in  FIG. 9  and  10 , the first and second pocket fastener means  84 ′may use zippers or VELCRO hook and loop fastener as a means for opening and closing the first pocket  60 ′ and the second pocket  80 ′.  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 8  and  11 , a hood  19 ′ having an inner piece  50 ′ and an outer piece  52 ′ is connected to the top edges of the front section  14 ′ and back section  18 ′. A first earpiece opening  58 ′ and a second earpiece opening  59 ′ are formed on the inner piece  50 ′. An earpiece set E′ having two earpiece wires E 1 ′ and E 2 ′ can be secured by the hood  50 ′ by having the first earpiece wire E 1 ′ going through the first earpiece opening  58 ′ and positioned in between the back surface  55 ′ of inner piece  50 ′ and front surface  56 ′ of the outer piece  52 ′ and coming out from the second opening  59 ′. In alternative, a jacket may have a hood instead of a collar and a pullover may have a collar instead of a hood.  
         [0055]     Alternatively, as seen in  FIG. 12 , a first carrying means  60 ″ for carrying the MP3 player P″ is attached to the outer surface  30 ″ of the jacket  10 ″ or the outer surface  31 ′″ of the pullover  10 ′″. The first carrying means carries the weight of the MP3 player P″ while allowing certain degree of movement of the MP3 player. An earpiece cut  64 ″ is formed on the front section  16 ″ of the jacket  10 ″ or the front section  14 ″ of the pullover  10 ′″. The wire of the earpiece set E″ can pass through the earpiece cut  64 ″ to the inner surface  36 ″ of the jacket  10 ″ or the inner surface  32 ′″ of the pullover  10 ′″ and then to be supported by the collar or hood as indicated above.  
         [0056]     Alternatively, as seen in  FIG. 13 , a second carrying means  80 ″ for carrying the wireless remote control R″ for MP3 player comprises a wrist band  81 ″ with a band fastener means  82 ″ for holding two ends of the wrist band together and holding on to the outer surface  42 ″ of the sleeve  17 ″ of the jacket or pullover. The wrist band  81 ″ has a carrying portion  83 ″ for carrying the wireless remote control R″ for MP3 player. Said carrying porting  83 ″ comprises a carrying cover  86 ″ made of transparent materials such as vinyl, in order for the user to see the remote control to operate the remote control, a carrying base  84 ″ which is attached to the wrist band  81 ″ or an integrated portion of the wrist band  81 ″, a cover fastener means  85 ″ joins and closes the cover opening  88 ″ between the carrying cover  86 ″ and the carrying base  84 ″ and secures the weight of the wireless remote control R″ in the wrist band  81 ″.  
         [0057]     This invention can be used for carrying any type of MP3 player with remote control as long as the MP3 player and the remote control can fit into the pockets or carrying means.  
         [0058]     The invention has been described by reference to specific examples and embodiments. Variations, modifications, and alterations will naturally suggest themselves to those of the usual level of skill in this art. The appended claims are intended to encompass all such variations, modifications and alterations.