Abstract:
A combination hooded changing garment and carry bag, providing ample room for a person to change attire in public places without loss of modesty. The garment, preferably made from recycled or recyclable fabric, can be washable or disposable, having a full length center-front opening with separable closure fasteners and wrist area separable fasteners to give sleeves effect, if desired after changing to wear. The garment has a wide, scoop-necked area for ease of overhead access when removing or putting on items underneath. The mesh netting on the hood provides ventilation, and allows the wearer to see out through the mesh, with reduced ability from the outside to see the person wearing the garment. The mesh netting hooded head cover attached to the garment converts to a self-storage bag for the garment and the wet, soiled, or other items.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM, LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This product pertains generally to apparel. More specifically, the apparel is a loose fitting hooded garment within which a person may undress and dress, when standing or seated, while still maintaining modesty in a public place, convertible into a mesh carrying bag for storing and transporting the garment, and dry clothing to change into after activities as well as the changed soiled clothing and other objects. 
         [0005]    Previous garments have been designed to allow a person to change clothes in public places without exposing oneself to other people. These garments generally take the form of a wrap or robe consisting of water-absorbent material, and some have been effective in allowing a person to comfortably wear the garment after changing has occurred to protect the person from the various elements of nature. Other garments designed for beekeepers and hazmat responders contain hoods but are specialized for protection and safety. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide a thin, lightweight, compactable garment, that when worn allows a wearer to change clothes underneath in privacy. In addition, rather than being a one-piece closed configuration, the present garment being open at the waist area facilitates changing while either seated or standing, whether indoors or outdoors, including in a motor vehicle. The garment mesh hood provides ventilation and outward visibility for the wearer while minimizing the ability of others to see the wearer. The removed garment can also be folded up and stored and transported within the hood enclosure carry bag. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In a first manifestation, the garment is draped over a person to allow the person to modestly and discretely perform certain activities such as changing attire within public places. A connected front, back, sides and hood form the primary covering. Within the large enclosure, visually isolated from exterior view, a person can move around and change attire. In a second manifestation, the changing garment is tucked into the hood as a mesh carrying bag for storage and transport. 
         [0008]    Most recreational athletes do not have locker rooms or adequate changing facilities. Road running races can have thousands of participants. After a run or other exercise, particularly outdoors, clothes are usually wet, unhygienic and uncomfortable and there is no, or minimal, privacy to change into dry clothing. As a result, many people will forego changing their attire. It is also difficult to remove from one&#39;s body wet sports clothing and undergarments. 
         [0009]    Historically, people have attempted various methods of changing in the absence of suitable facilities. One common method employed by groups of people is that of simply taking turns holding towels or blankets around and individual while changing. This solution is minimally effective and inconvenient and, more importantly, requires the cooperation of several individuals to successfully complete. 
         [0010]    With the ever increasing popularity of sport and recreational activities, there arises a continuing need in the art for a more convenient, easily used and readily available apparatus for changing clothes in the absence of adequate changing facilities. 
         [0011]    The principal advantage of this invention is to provide a garment that can be worn to facilitate the changing of clothes in public places. Another advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for changing clothes that allows a person to comfortably wear the garment in public places before or after the changing of clothing has occurred. Another advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for facilitating the changing clothes in public that is lightweight. And still another advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for changing clothes that allows a person to store and transport the garment while not in use. And yet a further advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for changing clothes that contains an enclosure means attached to the garment for storing and transporting the garment when not in use. And still a further advantage of this invention is to add a new and unique garment to the field of clothes changing garments. 
         [0012]    The garment contains a hood, open sleeve and waist areas that allow a wearer to reach underneath the garment to change clothes. The garment can contain interior and exterior pockets to store items and keep the wearer&#39;s hands protected. The garment contains sufficient room underneath to enable a wearer to comfortably change clothes. The current garment is made of thin, lightweight, compactable, recyclable materials, and rather than being a one-piece closed configuration, the present garment being open at the waist area facilitates changing while either seated or standing. The removed garment can also be folded up and stored within the hood enclosure. 
         [0013]    Objects of the Invention: It is a general object of the present product to provide an improved device for changing clothes in a running or other sports and diverse activities environment. It is a more particular object of the present product to provide an improved apparatus for changing clothes which is convenient to use and carry and which may be employed by a solo person. 
         [0014]    A first object of the invention is to provide a garment that will make it easier for a person to change clothing without exposure or loss of modesty. A second object of the invention is to enable a person to convert the garment from a changing robe into a carry bag for transporting the changing robe and other clothing and objects. A further object of the invention is to facilitate changing attire while seated or standing, outdoors or indoors, including in a motor vehicle. 
         [0015]    A further object of the invention is to provide a single, consistent shape that may be worn by both sexes. Another object of the invention is to keep the robe long enough having enough fabric to adequately cover the person when the person bends over during changes of attire or other activity. These and other objects are accomplished in the preferred embodiment, which will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. 
         [0016]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the product in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the apparatus that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0017]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the device in detail it is to be understood that the product is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The product is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and form a part of, this specification, illustrate embodiments of the product and together with the description, serve to explain the principals of this product. The features of the present product, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The garment, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment from a front view with the changing garment on a person or laid flat on a surface with exterior pockets. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the garment from a back view. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the garment from a front open flat view illustrating the space available for a person to change attire within and with interior pockets. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the garment of  FIG. 1  converted to an enclosure carrying bag with drawstring attachments. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates the preferred embodiment of the garment of  FIG. 1  from a partially cut away perspective front view, converted to an enclosure receptacle carrying bag, constructed in accord with the teachings of the apparatus, showing the gathering of the fabric and insertion into the carry bag for storage and transport. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIG. 1  a front view of the convertible changing garment  10 . In the preferred embodiment, convertible changing garment  10  contains an upper body portion  16 , a lower body portion  18 , and a hood portion  26  that converts to the garment enclosure carry bag  42  (see  FIG. 4 ). Garment  10  can comprise a substantially soft, flexible, lightweight, recycled, recyclable or water-resistant material such as terry cloth, cotton, nylon, tyvek, or other material as would be deemed suitable by one with ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0025]    The hooded changing garment, convertible to a holding device enclosure includes a mesh container having a closed end and an opposite open end defining an interior. A drawstring is inserted through a drawstring casing  14  attached to the mesh hood at the open end of the container. The garment, visible in each of the figures, is preferably fabricated from relatively soft, flexible, compactable, lightweight, generally square or rectangular fabric pieces that form upper body portion  16  and lower body portion  18 . Most preferably, the changing garment is made from a recycled or recyclable material, though other fabrics are known that will have particular advantage for a given application. The changing garment lower body portion  18  will most preferably extend to below knee length to mid-calf in front and back, since it is most desirable for the present garment to adequately cover all persons when they bend forward or reach down to the ground. The exact geometry of the extended lower body portion  18  bottom seam  22  is not critical to the garment, and the exact dimensions will vary depending upon the clothing size of the person, such that smaller children will have substantially smaller dimensions, though the proportions may remain fairly constant. 
         [0026]    In the anticipated use of the present product, the user dons garment  10  by placing the hood over the wearer&#39;s head, and thereafter closes the front opening  34  of upper body portion  16  with closure separable fasteners  20 , and closes the front opening  36  of lower body portion  18  with closure separable fasteners  20 . Once enclosed within garment  10 , the user is able remove clothing, or reach out from both the bottom edge  32  of upper body portion  16 , and also from the vertical side slit openings  28  that extend downward from the mid-thigh area of lower body portion  18  to the bottom edge  22  of lower body portion  18 , to bring into garment  10  articles such as a change of clothing. Lower body portion  18  has closed sides from waist to mid-thigh (covering the crotch area while wearer is seated or standing). The vertical side slit openings  28  may be closed with closure separable fasteners  20 , providing enough room to remove or put on articles of clothing. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  sets forth a rear perspective view of garment  10  in a generally empty flattened position in preparation for wearing. As described above, garment  10  includes an upper torso body portion  16 , and a lower body portion  18 . The rear perspective of  FIG. 2  further depicts upper torso body portion  16  at lower edge  32 , joined by back connector  40  to lower body portion  18  along horizontal waist area opening  38 .  FIG. 2  further defines the rear surfaces of upper torso body portion  16  with closure means  20  to form arm sleeves  11  and  12  (arm sleeves  11  and  12  seen in  FIG. 1 ) together with a hood  26 , and lower body portion  18 , with vertical side slit openings  28  that extend downward from the mid-thigh area of lower body portion  18  to the bottom edge  22  of lower body portion  18 . 
         [0028]    To facilitate the storage of articles and valuables, garment  10  can include interior pockets  29  having a conventional opening formed therein for the deposit of valuables and other personal articles. 
         [0029]    Upper Body portion  16  is generally defined by bottom edge  32 . Upper Body portion  16  is preferably configured to cover the body of a wearer extending from the upper torso region down to the waist or hip area. Upper body portion  16  does not fit tightly against the body of a wearer, but rather is sufficiently sized so as to allow a wearer enough space underneath to maneuver hands and arms around to comfortably change clothes. Upper Body portion  16  additionally can include closure fasteners means  20  at the lower edge  32  area to form loose arm sleeves effect  11  and  12 . Sleeves  11  and  12  are preferably designed to extend from the shoulder region of a wearer to loosely cover the entire arm area to the wrist area, to be used as sleeves after having changed clothing if so desired. Body portion  16  includes a hood  26 . Hood  26  is preferably incorporated into the design of upper body portion  16 , completely covering the head and neck to shoulder area of the wearer. Hood  26  being made of a mesh material provides ventilation and allows the wearer to view outside of the enclosure. However, hood  26  can also be removably attached to body portion  16  by fasteners such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or other means that provide removable attachment as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. The lower boundary of Hood portion  26  is connected to the head and neck opening  24  of the upper body portion  16 . 
         [0030]    Upper body portion  16  can additionally include closure separable fasteners  20  on each side of the lower edge  32  of center opening  34  to connect to the upper edge  38  on each side of the center opening  36  of Lower Body portion  18 . Lower body portion  18  can include a set of exterior pockets  27  and can include a set of interior pockets  29 . Exterior pockets  27  and interior pockets  29  are preferably composed of similar material to lower body portion  18 . Exterior pockets  27  and interior pockets  29  serve to provide storage areas for personal items such as wallets, keys, cell phones and removed clothing. Exterior pockets  27  and interior pockets  29  are preferably positioned opposite one another on convertible changing garment  10 , within hands&#39; reach of the wearer. 
         [0031]    To facilitate entrance into an exit from garment  10 , upper torso body portion  16  defines an elongated front opening  34 , extending downward from the neck area  24  at the lower boundary of hood  26  to a lower end near seam  32 , with closure separable fasteners  20 . The length or spacing of closure separable fasteners  20  is selected to accommodate the easy entrance into and exit from upper torso body portion  16 . Closure separable fasteners  20  can include buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or any other elements used for closing two ends of material as recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0032]    To facilitate entrance into an exit from garment  10 , lower body portion  18  defines an elongated front opening  36 , extending downward from the top of waist opening area  38  to a lower end near seam  22 . The length or spacing of closure separable fasteners  20  is selected to accommodate the easy entrance into and exit from lower body portion  18 . Closure separable fasteners  20  can include buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or any other elements used for closing two ends of material as recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , there is seen an alternative open flat view of the interior of the preferred embodiment of the fabric with interior pockets  29  for convertible changing garment  10 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , there is seen the front view of hood portion  26  of garment  10  as the garment enclosure  42  with drawstring  44 . 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , there is seen a front view of an alternate embodiment of wearable protective changing garment  10  that includes a garment enclosure  44  attached to interior layer  12 . The hood  26  open end perimeter of garment  10  enclosure  42  is preferably sewn to the perimeter of neck opening  24  of the upper body portion  16 , in such a fashion as to allow changing garment upper body portion  16  and lower body portion  18  to be fully folded within and enclosed within hood portion  26  as garment enclosure  42 . Garment enclosure  42  can comprise a solid material for the bottom of enclosure  42  as support or to prevent items from falling through the mesh, and a mesh material for the front, back and sides of enclosure  42 , such as nylon, or other suitable open-weave material as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art. Garment enclosure  42  contains a drawstring  44  located at the opening thereof, to enable a wearer to close garment enclosure  42  so that the convertible changing garment  10  is protected during transport or storage. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , there is seen a partially cut away perspective view of convertible changing garment  10 , with upper body portion  16  and lower body portion  18  contained within garment enclosure  42 , with drawstring  44  in the open position. The drawstring  44  can be of sufficient length and thickness so that when drawn closed the drawstring  44  can be conveniently carried over one&#39;s shoulder or shoulders in “backpack configuration. 
         [0037]    The above description, together with the objects of the invention and the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the product. 
         [0038]    The preferred embodiment of the garment is described in the Drawings and Description. While these descriptions directly describe the embodiments, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the product, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the product known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the product to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the product and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the product in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated it is intended that the product not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.