Patent Publication Number: US-9427031-B2

Title: Storable poncho and related method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/600,085, entitled “STORABLE PONCHO AND RELATED METHOD,” filed on Feb. 17, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates generally to garments, and more particularly to a storable poncho configurable to achieve a stored condition, a partially opened condition, and a completely opened condition. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     A typical poncho is oftentimes fabricated from a single large sheet of fabric with an opening in the center for the user&#39;s head, and a piece of fabric that covers the user&#39;s head. Rainproof ponchos normally are fitted with fasteners to close the sides once the poncho is draped over the user&#39;s body, with openings provided for the user&#39;s arms. Sometimes, the piece of fabric covering the user&#39;s head is in the form of a hood attached near the opening that covers the user&#39;s head during use. 
     Traditionally, a person considering using a poncho during inclement weather has limited options. One option is to wear a garment that is specifically designed to be worn and re-worn by the user. Such ponchos are made of more robust material, and are stored in traditional ways, such as by hangers. Another option is to wear a garment that is specially designed for one-time use. Such ponchos are typically packaged in a compact condition, and users must open the packaging to remove and wear the ponchos. After use, the ponchos may be discarded, since they are made from thinner, less costly material, and are incapable of being easily stored. Also, such ponchos, prior to use, must be carried by the user, either by hand or within a storage device. 
     There is a need for a poncho that is capable of reuse, and is constructed in such a manner to be capable of being stored in a compact condition and easily carried. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a storable poncho comprising a belt having a first end, a second, opposite end configured to be releasably attached to the first end, an upper edge and a lower edge. The storable poncho further comprises a first flap secured to the belt adjacent to one of the upper edge and the lower edge of the belt, and a body portion including fabric material configured to cover at least a portion of a user&#39;s body when worn. The body portion is secured to one of the upper edge and the lower edge of the belt. The body portion is covered by the first flap when configuring the body portion in a stored condition. 
     Embodiments of the storable poncho further may include the body portion having a jacket portion configured to cover at least a portion of an upper torso and arms of the user when worn. In one embodiment, the jacket portion may be secured to the upper edge of the belt and the first flap being secured to the upper edge of the belt. The storable poncho further may comprise a first fastener to releasably secure the first flap when configuring the jacket portion in the stored condition. In one embodiment, the first fastener may include hook and loop material provided on the belt and the first flap. The belt further has an inner surface disposed against the user when worn and an outer surface. The first flap has an inner surface disposed against the jacket portion when the jacket portion is in the stored condition. The hook and loop material of the first fastener may be secured to the outer surface of the belt adjacent the lower edge of the belt and is secured to the inner surface of the first flap. The storable poncho further may comprise a second flap secured to the lower edge of the belt, and a pants portion configured to cover at least a portion of a lower torso and legs of a user when worn. In one embodiment, the pants portion may be secured to the lower edge of the belt. The pants portion may be covered by the second flap when configuring the pants portion in a stored condition. The storable poncho further may comprise a second fastener to releasably secure the second flap when configuring the pants portion in the stored condition. In one embodiment, the second fastener may include hook and loop material provided on the belt and the second flap. The belt further may have an inner surface disposed against the user when worn and an outer surface. The second flap may have an inner surface disposed against the pants portion when the pants portion is in the stored condition. The hook and loop material of the second fastener may be secured to the outer surface of the belt adjacent the upper edge of the belt and is secured to the inner surface of the second flap. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of wearing a storable poncho described herein comprising: securing the storable poncho around a waist of the user by securing the first and second ends of the belt with one another; moving the first flap away from the belt; removing the body portion from the stored condition to a use condition; and donning the body portion. 
     Embodiments of the method further may include releasing the first fastener of the first flap prior to moving the first flap away from the belt to access the body portion. The method further may include moving the second flap away from the belt, removing the pants portion from the stored condition to a use condition, and donning the pants portion. The method further may include releasing the second fastener of the second flap prior to moving the second flap away from the belt. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a storable poncho comprising a belt having a first end, a second, opposite end configured to be releasably attached to the first end, an upper edge and a lower edge, a body portion including fabric material configured to cover at least a portion of a user&#39;s body when worn, the body portion being secured to one of the upper edge and the lower edge of the belt, and means secured to the belt adjacent to one of the other of the upper edge and the lower edge of the belt to store the body portion when configuring the body portion in a stored condition. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the drawing figures which are incorporated herein by reference and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storable poncho of an embodiment of the present disclosure in a stored condition with a belt assembly of the storable poncho shown in a connected condition; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the storable poncho shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the storable poncho shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of the storable poncho with the belt assembly shown in an unconnected condition; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an end portion of the storable poncho; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the storable poncho in the stored condition being worn; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the storable poncho with an upper flap of the storable poncho being released; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the storable poncho with a jacket portion of the storable poncho in an open or use condition; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the storable poncho shown in  FIG. 8  being worn; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the storable poncho with a lower flap of the storable poncho being released; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the storable poncho shown in  FIG. 10  with the upper flap and the lower flap opened; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the storable poncho in a fully opened condition; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the storable poncho shown in  FIG. 12  being worn. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are designed to be used and reused by persons who are performing activities during inclement weather, such as rain. In a certain embodiment, a storable poncho is constructed to achieve a stored condition, a partially opened condition, and a fully opened condition. In the stored condition, the storable poncho may be easily carried by a user since the storable poncho is configured to be worn by the user around the user&#39;s waist. In the partially opened condition, the storable poncho is capable of protecting an upper torso of the user, including the user&#39;s arms and head. In the fully opened condition, the storable poncho is capable of further protecting a lower torso of the user, including the user&#39;s legs. 
     In one embodiment, the storable poncho includes a belt that may be worn around the waist of the user. Ends of the belt may be secured to one another by snap fit fasteners, or another similar device, such as a belt buckle. The storable poncho also includes an upper flap, which is secured to the belt adjacent to an upper edge of the belt, and a jacket portion, which includes fabric material that is configured to cover the user&#39;s upper torso, including the user&#39;s arms and head. The jacket portion is secured to the upper edge of the belt as well. When in a stored condition, the jacket portion is covered and protected by the upper flap. A first fastener is further provided to releasably secure the upper flap when configuring the jacket portion in the stored condition and storing the jacket portion underneath the upper flap. In a certain embodiment, the first fastener may include hook and loop material provided on the belt and the upper flap, with a piece of hook and loop material being secured to an outer surface of the belt adjacent to the lower edge of the belt and another piece of mating hook and loop material being secured to the inner surface of the upper flap adjacent to an edge of the upper flap. 
     The storable poncho may also include a lower flap, which is secured to the lower edge of the belt, and a pants portion, which includes fabric material that is configured to cover the user&#39;s lower torso, including the user&#39;s legs. The pants portion is secured to the lower edge of the belt as well. When in a stored condition, the pants portion covers the upper flap (which in turn is covering the jacket portion) and is covered and protected by the lower flap. 
     It should be observed that during use, the jacket portion is first removed by releasing the hook and loop fastener of the upper flap. Once the jacket portion is removed, the user may optionally access the pants portion to remove them from the stored condition by releasing the hook and loop fastener of the upper flap. Both of these acts may be achieved while the user continues to wear the belt around the user&#39;s waist. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-7 , there is generally indicated at  10  a storable poncho of an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, the storable poncho  10  includes an elongate belt, generally indicated at  12 , that is sized to fit around a waist of a user. The belt  12  includes a body  14  having an inner surface  16  disposed against the user when worn, an outer surface  18 , a first end  20 , and a second, opposite end  22  that is configured to be releasably attached to the first end. In one embodiment, the belt  12  may include strap portions  24 ,  26  made from elastic material, which are connected to respective ends  20 ,  22  of the body  14 . The belt  12  may further include mating snap fasteners  28 ,  30 , which are secured to the respective strap portions  24 ,  26 , to secure the belt in a closed position around the user&#39;s waist ( FIG. 6 ). The elastic strap portions  24 ,  26  enable the belt to accommodate a range of waist sizes. Other types of fasteners may be used in place of snap fasteners  28 ,  30 , including belt buckles, and the like, which are suitably secured to the respective strap portions  24 ,  26  of the belt  12 . The body  14  of the belt  12  further includes an upper edge  32  and a lower edge  34 , the purpose of which will become apparent as the description of the storable poncho  10  proceeds. The belt  12  may be fabricated from any suitable strong fabric material, such as nylon, that is capable of withstanding the stress of being secured around the user&#39;s waist. 
     The storable poncho  10  further includes a first, upper flap  36  that is secured to the upper edge  32  of the belt  12 . As shown, the upper flap  36  extends substantially along the entire length of the body  14  along the upper edge  32  of the belt  12 , and may be secured to the belt in any suitable manner, such as by stitching. In another embodiment, the upper flap  36  may be integrally formed as part of the body of the belt  12 . The upper flap  36  has a width that generally corresponds to a width of the body  14  of the belt  12 . The storable poncho  10  also includes a body portion  38  that includes fabric material configured to cover at least a portion of the user&#39;s body when worn. In  FIGS. 1-6 , the body portion  38  is illustrated in a stored condition in which the body portion is covered and protected by the upper flap  36 . In an alternative embodiment, the upper flap  36  may be secured to the lower edge  34  of the belt  12  (thus constituting a “lower flap”) to cover and protect the body portion  38  in the stored condition. The body portion  38  may be moved to the stored condition by rolling or folding the body portion so that the body portion achieves a width that is capable of being covered by the upper flap  38 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the storable poncho  10  further includes a first fastener to secure the upper flap  36  in a position in which the upper flap covers the body portion  38  when in a stored condition. As shown, in  FIG. 7 , the upper flap  36  includes an inner surface  40  that is disposed against the body portion  38  when the body portion is in the stored condition. The first fastener includes a strip of hook and loop fastener material  42  attached (as by stitching) to the inner surface  40  of the upper flap  36  adjacent to an edge of the upper flap along a length of the upper flap. This strip of hook and loop fastener material  42  mates with another strip of hook and loop fastener material  44  that is secured to the body  14  of the belt  12  along a length of the lower edge  34  of the belt. The arrangement is such that the when the body portion  38  is in the stored condition, the upper flap  36  covers the body portion with the mating strips of hook and loop fastener material  42 ,  44  securing the upper flap in place.  FIG. 7  illustrates a portion of the upper flap  36  being removed from the body  14  of the belt  12  to access the body portion for removal. Once the upper flap  36  is full released, the body portion  38  may be unrolled or unfolded to achieve an open or use condition. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the body portion  38  embodies a jacket portion, which, for the avoidance of confusion, is identified and referenced herein by reference numeral  38 , and is configured to cover at least a portion of an upper torso and arms of the user when worn (see  FIG. 9 ). As shown, the jacket portion  38  includes also includes a hood  46  to cover the user&#39;s head when worn. Although not shown, suitable fasteners may be provided to secure an open front of the jacket portion  38 . In certain embodiments, such fasteners may include zippers, buttons, snaps, and the like.  FIG. 9  illustrates the jacket portion  38  being worn by the user with the belt  12  still secured around the waist of the user. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the storable poncho  10  further includes a second, lower flap  48  that is secured to the lower edge  34  of the belt  12 . Similar to the upper flap  36 , the lower flap  48  extends substantially along the entire length of the body  14  along the lower edge  34  of the belt  12 , and may be secured to the belt in any suitable manner, such as by stitching. In another embodiment, the lower flap  48  may be integrally formed as part of the body  14  of the belt  12 . The lower flap  48  has a width that generally corresponds to a width of the body  14  of the belt  12 . The storable poncho  10  further includes a pants portion  50 , which is configured to cover at least a portion of the user&#39;s lower torso and legs when worn. As used herein, the body portion  38 , including the jacket portion, may be formed from the same sheet of material used to fabricate the pants portion  50 . Thus, the body portion  38  may include both the jacket portion and the pants portion  50 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the pants portion  50  is in a stored condition in which the pants portion is covered and protected by the lower flap  48 . The pants portion  50  may similarly be moved to the stored condition by rolling or folding the pants portion so that the pants portion achieves a width that is capable of being covered by the lower flap  48 . 
     The storable poncho  10  further includes a second fastener to secure the lower flap  48  in a position in which the lower flap covers the pants portion  50  when in the stored condition. As shown, the lower flap  48  includes an inner surface  52  that is disposed against the pants portion  50  when the pants portion is in the stored condition. The second fastener includes a strip of hook and loop fastener material  54  attached (as by stitching) to the inner surface  52  of the lower flap  48  adjacent to an edge of the lower flap along a length of the lower flap. This strip of hook and loop fastener material  54  mates with another strip of hook and loop fastener material  56  that is secured to the body  14  of the belt  12  along a length of the lower edge  34  of the belt, just below where the upper flap  36  is stitched to the body of the belt. The arrangement is such that the when the pants portion  50  is in the stored condition, the lower flap  48  covers the pants portion  50  with the mating pieces of hook and loop fastener material  54 ,  56  securing the lower flap in place.  FIG. 10  illustrates a portion of the lower flap  48  being removed from the body  14  of the belt  12  to access the pants portion  50 . Once the lower flap  48  is full released, the pants portion  50  may be unrolled or unfolded to achieve an open or use condition.  FIG. 10  further illustrates a large strip of hook and loop material  58  that may be provided to better secure the ends of the upper and lower flaps  36 ,  48  in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the pants portion  50  is designed to cover the lower torso and a portion of the legs of the user when worn. It should be understood that the length of the pants portion  50  may be extended to cover more of the user&#39;s legs. As with the jacket portion  38 , although not shown, suitable fasteners may be provided to secure an open front of the pants portion  50 . In certain embodiments, such fasteners may include zippers, buttons, snaps, and the like.  FIG. 13  illustrates the jacket portion  38  being worn by the user with the belt  12  still secured around the waist of the user. 
     In certain embodiments, the jacket portion  38  and the pants portion  50  of the storable poncho  10  may be fabricated from any suitable fabric capable of repelling moisture, such as lightweight coated nylon, or other synthetic materials. 
     As shown, the storable poncho  10  is designed to be worn and reused, and is capable of being carried in a stored condition. Specifically, during use, the storable poncho  10  may be secured around the waist of the user by securing the first and second ends  20 ,  24  of the belt  12  with one another with the snap fasteners  28 ,  30 . Once secured, the user may remove the jacket portion  38  by moving the upper flap  36  away from the belt  12  to access the jacket portion. The jacket portion  38  may then be removed from the belt  12  from the stored condition to the use condition shown in  FIG. 8  by unrolling or unfolding the jacket portion. Once removed, the jacket portion  38  is donned by the user in which the user inserts his or her arms into the arms of the jacket portion, which is shown in  FIG. 9 . The user may also place the hood  46  of the storable poncho  10  over the user&#39;s head. 
     After donning the jacket portion  38 , if the user decides to protect his or her lower torso and legs, the user may move the lower flap  48  away from the belt  12  to access the pants portion  50  of the storable poncho  10 . The pants portion  50  may then be removed from the belt  12  from the stored condition to the use condition shown in  FIG. 12  by unrolling or unfolding the pants portion. Once removed, the pants portion  50  is donned by the user in which the pants portion covers the user&#39;s lower torso and legs, which is shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     After use, the user may remove the storable poncho  10  by releasing the snap fasteners  28 ,  30  of the belt  12 . The user may roll up or fold the pants portion  50  and secure the pants portion in the stored condition by securing the lower flap  48  with the second fastener. Next, the user may roll up or fold the jacket portion  38  and secure the jacket portion in the stored condition by securing the upper flap  36  with the first fastener. 
     It should be observed that a variety of alternate designs or configurations of the storable poncho  10  may be provided and fall within the scope of the instant disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, the storable poncho  10  may include a body portion  38  having a jacket portion only. With this embodiment, the storable poncho  10  would be particularly suited for protecting the upper torso, arms and head of the user. Further, with this embodiment, the upper flap  36  may be provided on the lower edge  34  of the body  14  of the belt  12  to cover and secure the jacket portion  38 . In another embodiment, although not preferred, the storable poncho  10  may include a body portion having a pants portion  50  only to protect the lower torso and legs of the wearer. 
     In certain embodiments, the preferred fasteners used to releasably secure the jacket and pants portions  38 ,  50  of the storable poncho  10  in a stored condition are strips of hook and loop fastener material. As known, hook and loop material is cost efficient, and may be easily manipulated by the user for quick deployment. However, it should be understood that a person skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, may replace the devices of hook and loop fastener material with other devices, such as snap fasteners, buttons, buckles, or any other suitable device designed to releasably secure the components in the stored condition. 
     Also, other design choices may be made. For example, the hood  46  provided on the jacket portion  38  of the storable poncho  10  may be eliminated. In addition, the jacket portion  38  and the pants portion  50  may be fabricated from a single sheet of matter that is attached (as by stitching) to the inner surface  16  of the body  14  of the belt  12 . Moreover, the upper and lower flaps  36 ,  48  may be integrally formed with the body  14  of the belt  12 . 
     This disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the poncho disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.