Patent Publication Number: US-4057854-A

Title: Convertible garment

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to garments which can be converted into backpacks. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There is frequently a need for an emergency backpack when traveling to sporting events, hiking or especially hunting in the forest. In many cases an emergency pack is not available or it is inconvenient to carry the pack when not needed. Accordingly, convertible garments have been known heretofore to convert a shirt, coat, or the like to a pack or sack for these emergencies. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,959,789 and 1,959,331 are directed to such garments. The aforementioned patented garments, however, are not totally satisfactory. The garments shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,959,789 is convertible only into a duffle bag which is cumbersome to carry especially when traveling through the woods. The garment shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,959,331 is more readily useable as a pack but requires the use of a belt not normally found in most garments and has limited storage capacity via a pocket or pouch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive garment readily convertible into a pack. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a method for converting a long-sleeved upper body garment into a pack having a large interior storage space. 
     Basically these objects are obtained by providing a conventional sweatshirt, sweater, with or without a hood, or other long-sleeved upper body garment with waist and neck closures and means for attaching the cuffs of the sleeves to the waist of the garment to form pack shoulder straps. In the method the sleeves are converted to shoulder straps perferably by connecting a drawstring used for closing the waist through grommets in the ends of the sleeves. 
     The advantages of this convertible garment over those of the prior art are readily apparent. The conversion from sweatshirt or coat is done inexpensively through use of a single drawstring or other suitable closure members such as Velcro fasteners or snaps. The closures are not heavy nor cumbersome when the garment is being worn for its customary purposes. The entire interior body of the garment is usable for storage capacity giving the pack a large capacity. The conversion can be made to any number of inexpensive readily worn garments, especially sweatshirts without substantially increasing the cost or detracting from the appearance of the sweatshirt. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the invention which may be converted into a backpack. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the garment illustrating a preferred technique for converting to a backpack. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As best shown in FIG. 2 the garment such as a sweatshirt 10 is provided with sleeves 12 of the elongated type terminating in wrists or cuffs 13. The wrists 13 are provided with openings surrounded by sets of grommets 14. The upper neck 16 of the garment is provided with a drawstring 17 for closing the neck. As is obvious in the case of a sweatshirt having a hood with a drawstring already provided the hooded drawstring can be used as a closure for the head opening. The garment is also provided with a waist 20 having a drawstring 22 for closing the waist. As above described the sweatshirt is readily usable for wearing for warmth as is conventional practice. 
     As best shown in FIG. 1 the sweatshirt can be converted into a shoulder carried backpack by removing the drawstring 22 and threading it through the pairs of grommets 14 on the cuffs 13 to secure the cuffs of the long sleeves to the body of the garment at the waist. Obviously other means for securing the waist to the cuffs such as through the use of Velcro fasteners, snaps, hooks and eyes and the like are also usable. When the drawstring 22 is tightened to secure the cuffs to the waist, the waist opening is also closed providing a sealed body for the pack. Objects to be placed in the pack such as game, sports equipment and the like are placed through the open neck 16 of the gament and the drawstring 17 may then be tightened to close off the opening. In this fashion the garment now is a pack which is worn by placing the armpits of the sleeves over the shoulders of the carrier in a very confortable back-packing fashion. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it should be apparent that variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the principles herein. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiment shown in the drawing.