Patent Publication Number: US-2009222969-A1

Title: Multi-function garment

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/064,513, filed Mar. 10, 2008, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to garments and, in particular, to an multi-function garment for head, neck and shoulder covering. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Head, neck and shoulder covers such as scarves and hoods have been used for centuries by people all over the world. These scarves and hoods, however, are often designed for a single purpose of covering only the neck/shoulder area or the head. Although a wearer may try to use the garment for an unintended purpose, for example, to protect the ears in extreme cold weather by wrapping a long scarf around the head, it is usually accomplished at the expense of appearance or style of the wearer. What is needed is a multi-purpose garment that can be used for head, neck or shoulder cover while maintaining the appearance and style of the wearer in each function. 
     SUMMARY 
     A multi-function garment is disclosed. An embodiment of the multi-function garment includes a trapezoidal-shaped fabric with two opposing parallel sides of unequal length and two opposing unparallel sides of substantially equal length, and fasteners mounted along at least one of the unparallel sides to enable the garment to be configured for multiple functions. The trapezoidal-shaped garment has a height (H) that is longer than the distance between the top of a typical wearer&#39;s head and the top of the wearer&#39;s shoulder. The two parallel sides of the trapezoidal-shaped fabric each has a length that is equal to or longer than H, but is shorter than 2 H. 
     Also disclosed is an embodiment of the multi-function garment having a substantially rectangular stretchable fabric with two substantially parallel long sides and two substantially parallel short sides, and fasteners mounted along either or both short sides to enable the garment to be configured for multiple functions. The long side of the substantially rectangular stretchable fabric has a length that is about 10-20 inches longer than the average neck circumference of a targeted wearer group, and the short side-to-long side length ratio is between 1:1 and 1:2. 
     Also disclosed is an embodiment of the multi-function garment that contains a trapezoidal-shaped fabric with a short top side, a long bottom side parallel to the top side, and two opposing unparallel sides of substantially equal length, and fasteners mounted along at least one unparallel sides to enable the garment to be configured for multiple functions. The top side has a length that is greater than the average neck circumference of a targeted wearer group. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description will refer to the following drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements, and wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are illustrations showing embodiments of a multi-purpose garment. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration showing the scarf function of the multi-purpose garment. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration showing the turtle neck function of the multi-purpose garment. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration showing the hood function of the multi-purpose garment. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration showing the shawl function of the multi-purpose garment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described herein is an unique garment that can be used for a fall, spring, and winter wardrobe. This multi-function garment, designated as the “Snurtle” is composed of a piece of fabric or woven material having a substantially rectangular or trapezoidal shape, and fasteners mounted along at least one side of the fabric or woven material. The Snurtle generally has a size and a width-to-height ratio that allow a wearer to comfortably use the Snurtle as a hood around the wearer&#39;s head or as a shawl around the wearer&#39;s shoulder without significantly stretching the fabric or woven material. Moreover, the Snurtle is sized such that, when used as a scarf around the wearer&#39;s neck, it may provide or have a collar or turtle neck appearance by simply fastening some or all of the fasteners. Accordingly, embodiments of the Snurtle have a width that is larger than the circumference of a wearer&#39;s neck, but small enough so as to lay smoothly and not significantly bunching or gathering around the wearer&#39;s neck when two opposing sides of the Snurtle are fastened against each other. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment  10  of the Snurtle shown has a substantially rectangular shape with two long sides  11  and  12 , and two short sides  13  and  14 , with a width (the length of the long sides  11  and  12 ) to height (the length of the short sides  13  and  14 ) ratio between one and two. A plurality of fasteners  15  are mounted along at least one of the short sides of the Snurtle. The fasteners  15  may be mounted on the same surface (e.g., the front surface) of the Snurtle or on the opposite surfaces (e.g., the front surface and back surface) of the Snurtle. In one embodiment, the fasteners  15  include push buttons with male pieces mounted on the front surface along one of the short sides  13  and  14  and female pieces mounted along the opposite side on the back surface of the Snurtle. In another embodiment, the fasteners  15  include buttons mounted along one of the short sides  13  and  14 , with button holes mounted along the opposite side. Other known fasteners may also be used. 
     Typically, the width of the rectangle-shaped Snurtle is greater than the circumference of a wearer&#39;s neck so that the Snurtle can be wrapped around the wearer&#39;s neck as a scarf. Likewise the height of the Snurtle is typically greater than the head height (i e., the distance between the top of the wearer&#39;s head and the bottom of the wearer&#39;s chin) but less than twice of the wearer&#39;s head height. In one embodiment, the Snurtle has a width of 24-36 inches and a height of 18-24 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , another embodiment  20  of the Snurtle has a trapezoidal shape with two opposing parallel sides  21 ,  22  of unequal length (i.e., a shorter top side and a longer base side) and two opposing unparallel sides  23 ,  24  of substantially equal length. A plurality of fasteners  25  are mounted along at least one unparallel side to enable the garment to be configured for multiple functions. In one embodiment, the fasteners  25  include push buttons with male pieces mounted along one of the unparallel sides  23  and  24  and female pieces mounted along the opposite side. In another embodiment, the fasteners  25  include buttons mounted along one of the unparallel sides  23  and  24 , with button holes mounted along the opposite side. Other known fasteners may also be used. 
     In one embodiment, the Snurtle has a height H (i.e., the distance between the two opposing parallel sides) that is longer than the height of a typical wearer&#39;s head (i.e., the distance between the top of the wearer&#39;s head and the bottom of the wearer&#39;s chin). In this embodiment, the two parallel sides of the trapezoidal-shaped Snurtle each has a length that is equal to or longer than H, but is shorter than 2 H. The fasteners are mounted along at least one of the non-parallel sides of the Snurtle. The trapezoidal-shaped Snurtle, with a longer bottom or base side, provides better coverage to the shoulders of the wearer when used as a hood or shawl. The shorter top side also allows the Snurtle to be wrapped smoothly around a wearer&#39;s neck, like a turtle neck or collar, without bunching or gathering in a manner that would affect the overall appearance. In one embodiment, the height H is between 12-24 inches. In another embodiment, the height H is between 16-20 inches. 
     In another embodiment, the top side of the trapezoidal-shaped or rectangular-shaped Snurtle (i.e., side  11  or  21 ) has a length that allows the Snurtle to be loosely wrapped around a wearer&#39;s neck with substantially no overlap. If the Snurtle is constructed for a particular person, the length of the top side would be about 10-20 inches, and preferably 12-18 inches, longer than the circumference of the wearer&#39;s neck. If the Snurtle is constructed for a targeted wearer group, the length of the top side would be about 10-20 inches, and preferably 12-18 inches, longer than the average neck circumference of targeted wearer group. For example, if the targeted wearers are adult females with a neck circumference in the range of 13-17 inches and an average neck circumference of 15 inches, the Snurtle would have a top side length of about 25-35 inches, and preferably 27-33 inches. 
     The Snurtle can be made of a variety of fabric or woven materials, including but not limited to, cotton, wool, polyester or combinations thereof. The fabric can be a machine-made or hand-made knitted fabric with medium to heavy weight yarn. In one embodiment, the fabric has no seams. Seams may compromise the movement and function of the Snurtle. In another embodiment, the fabric contains trims and/or linings. In another embodiment, the Snurtle is made from a single layer of fabric or woven material. In yet another embodiment, the Snurtle contains decorative non-functional buttons or other decorative objects. The fasteners can be buttons, snaps, zips, or any other fastening means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The Snurtle can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, it can be used as a scarf, a turtleneck, a collar, a hood, a shawl, or whatever else a wearer can create. 
     As used herein, the term “stretchable fabric” refers to a fabric that is extensible and elastic when stretching forces are applied to the fabric. That is, the fabric may be extended, deformed or the like, without breaking when stretching forces are applied to the fabric. The stretchable fabric will retract substantially to its original shape after removal of the stretching forces. For example, knitted fabrics and loosely woven fabrics are generally stretchable, while tightly woven fabrics are generally not stretchable. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , shown is an embodiment of a Snurtle  30  placed around a wearer&#39;s neck with all snaps/buttons fastened to function as a scarf or turtleneck. This function can not only dress up a simple outfit but also keep the wearer warm and cozy, indoors and outdoors. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , shown is an embodiment of a Snurtle  40  used as a collar by placing the Snurtle  40  around a wearer&#39;s neck and simply undoing one or two of the top buttons/snaps  42 . This option not only keeps the user warm but allows the wearer to have a little more room around the neck. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , shown is an embodiment of a Snurtle  50  used as a hood to provide extra protection from the wind and cold. To create this look, the back of the Snurtle  50  is pulled up over the wearer&#39;s head. This option can be used for dressing up a wearer&#39;s favorite coat or sweater. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , shown is an embodiment of a Snurtle  60  used as a shawl to dress up a plain T-shirt. The shawl option is accomplished by only buttoning one or two of the top snap/buttons  62  thus having the Snurtle  60  lay across the wearer&#39;s shoulders. 
     The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and their equivalents, in which all terms are to be understood in their broadest possible sense unless otherwise indicated.