Patent Publication Number: US-2015067942-A1

Title: Convertible maternity garment

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of garments, and more particularly convertible maternity garments. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Maternity clothing is generally purchased and worn by women during the term of their pregnancies. A number of different garments must be purchased and worn over the maternity term, which generally lasts about nine months. Though a woman may use non-maternity clothing during the initial stages of her pregnancy, as the woman&#39;s body changes, namely, as the fetus develops and grows, special clothing to conform to the woman&#39;s body is needed. The maternity clothing generally provides comfort for the woman wearing it. As a woman&#39;s body changes during the pregnancy term, a woman may need to change sizes of maternity clothing to accommodate her shape. Maternity clothing generally is costly, and, therefore, a woman may be required to purchase a number of wardrobes, in different sizes, over the term of her pregnancy. 
     In addition to the cost of the clothing that must be purchased to accommodate sizes as the women&#39;s shape changes during her pregnancy, the maternity clothing is designed to be suitable for the period of the pregnancy term. Therefore, after the birth of the child, and, in particular, when a women&#39;s body returns to a post-maternity shape, the maternity clothing is no longer used. Many women store the maternity clothing for subsequent maternity periods, such as when having another child. However, the maternity clothing is not used by women after their pregnancy since the maternity clothing is generally much larger and is configured differently than the clothing that women require after their pregnancy term. 
     Once the maternity clothing is no longer needed after the pregnancy term and after the potential post-maternity period (when some maternity clothing still may be usable), women are no longer able to use for the maternity clothing. This practice of purchasing a special maternity wardrobe or garments for limited use, results in increased expenses for pregnant women, since, they must buy multiple wardrobes that include clothing that a woman may only wear for a short duration, such as, for example, a few weeks or months. 
     A need exists for a maternity garment that provides both comfort and ease of use during both maternity periods and pre or post maternity periods. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A convertible garment is provided that is configurable to allow a woman to use the garment as a maternity garment during pregnancy and as a non-maternity garment during pre or post pregnancy periods. 
     According to preferred embodiments, a garment is provided configured, for example, as pants, skirt, or shorts, and includes a removable maternity panel that functions for maternity use when the garment is worn by a woman during her pregnancy, and is adaptable for fully functional wear after pregnancy. 
     According to preferred embodiments, the garment may be constructed to form a first garment which includes a maternity panel portion connected to a bottom portion. The bottom portion may, for example, include bottoms, namely pants, skirt, shorts. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the garment may include a removable maternity panel that is attached by stitching on the inside lower waistband of a bottom, for example pants, skirt and/or shorts. The garment may be configured so that the removable maternity panel may be reinstalled so that the garment may be subsequently used as a maternity garment, even after it has been converted to a non-maternity garment. 
     The bottom has a fully functional waistband closure and zipper. After the baby is born, the woman removes the maternity panel and has a fully functional bottom to wear as regular bottoms. These initially maternity bottoms are worn with maternity panel during pregnancy and removed after baby is born for regular wear of bottoms. 
     According to preferred embodiment of the invention, a garment preferably is constructed to provide a comfortable bottom, such as, for example, a skirt, short or pant, to wear during pregnancy, and also to provide a garment that may be worn by a woman long after the baby is born. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is front elevation view of a first embodiment of my invention illustrating a garment bottom with an attached maternity band. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the garment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the garment shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrated showing the opening of the garment. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the garment shown in  FIG. 1 , looking at the inside portion of the front of the garment as viewed from the inside of the garment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the garment shown in  FIG. 1 , looking at the inside portion of the rear of the garment as viewed from the inside of the garment. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the garment of  FIG. 1 , shown with the waistband detached. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevation view of the garment of  FIG. 1  shown with the waistband detached. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the garment shown in  FIG. 6 , looking at the inside portion of the front of the garment as viewed from the inside of the garment, and being shown with the waistband detached. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the garment shown in  FIG. 6 , looking at the inside portion of the rear of the garment as viewed from the inside of the garment, and being shown with the waistband detached. 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged front view of the garment of the garment shown in  FIG. 6 , illustrated showing the opening of the garment. 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the garment of  FIG. 1 , shown with the maternity band installed on the garment bottom. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a convertible maternity garment  10 , including a bottom  11  which is configured having a maternity band  12  which is attached to the garment bottom  11 . The maternity band  12  is shown attached to the garment bottom  11  and is connected at the interior of the garment  10  as shown by the rear sectional view of  FIG. 4  and the top plan view of  FIG. 11 . The garment bottom  11  preferably is provided having an alternate waistband  13  which is configured and arranged as part of the garment bottom  11 . The alternate waistband  13 , according to preferred embodiments, comprises a functioning waistband  13  that may be used with a fastening member, such as, for example, the button  15  shown in connection with the button hole  16  through which the button  15 , when fastened may pass. As illustrated, the button hole  16  may be formed on the alternate waistband  13  using suitable button hole making methods, such as, for example, known sewing techniques. The maternity band  12  is shown in  FIG. 1  situated behind the zone where the first end  18  and second end  19  of the alternate waistband  13  come together (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     According to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing figures, a zipper fly  21  is provided and preferably is attached to the garment bottom  11  at the opening edges  22 ,  23  surrounding the fly opening  24 . The zipper fly  21  preferably is attached by suitable stitching methods, such as with the stitching  25 ,  26  or other suitable alternate attachment means. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, a secondary fastening component  17  is utilized to provide an adjustable fastening feature that may be used to secure the first end  18  of the alternate waistband  13  to the other side or second end  19  of the waistband  13 . The adjustable fastening component  17  preferably may be formed from an elastic member that may be stretched to engage the button  15 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  8  and  10 , the adjustable fastening member  17  preferably has a plurality of alternate button hole positioning options provided by the button holes  17   a ,  17   b , and is shown held on the alternate waistband  13  with a fastening member, such as, for example, the button  19 . 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the waistband  12  may be constructed from known commercially available materials, including, for example, materials which are flexible and can give to accommodate the wearer&#39;s shape. Preferably, a flexible material that may be film yet substantially stretchable material, such as, for example, commercially available firmly-knit or elastic may be used to construct the maternity band  12 . The maternity band  12  may be constructed from a single layer of fabric, or alternatively, multiple layers of material may be used. When using multiple layers, the layers preferably are situated so that the maternity band  12  is not awkward, but rather, may still be comfortable to wear. Examples of multilayer configurations include bonding of fabric layer, such as, for example, with a fabric adhesive, sewing, or other suitable attachment mechanisms. 
     The rear of the garment  10  is shown in  FIG. 2  where the alternate waistband  13  is disposed about the garment  10  and the garment bottom  11  is shown below the alternate waistband  13 . The to maternity band  12  generally forms an opening  49  at the top of the garment  10  ( FIG. 11 ) that accommodates a wearer&#39;s torso, or in other words, the pregnant woman&#39;s abdomen or belly. According to preferred embodiments, the maternity band  12  is attached on the interior of the garment  10  and is located behind the alternate waistband  13 . Preferably, as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the maternity band  12  is attached at a location along the interior of the garment  10  below the alternate waistband  13 . The maternity band  12  is shown having an edge portion  27  at its perimeter which preferably comprises stitching or other edge finish so that the edge remains soft and/or comfortable for the wearer when the garment  10  is worn. The maternity band  12  preferably is removably attached to the garment bottom  11  in the area proximate to the edge portion  27 . The maternity band  12  preferably includes an attachment zone where the maternity band  12  attaches to the garment bottom  11 . The maternity band  12  is shown being attached on the inside of the garment  10 . A releasable securing component is provided to secure the maternity band  12  to the garment bottom  11 . According to a preferred embodiment, the releasable securing component is illustrated comprising stitching  30 , which secures the maternity band  12  to the waistband of the garment  10 . Though illustrated as stitching, the releasable securing component may, for example, comprise alternative fastening elements, such as, for example, zippers, snaps or other suitable members. The stitching  30  (or of the fastening component used) preferably is applied in a manner that permits removal thereof without damage to the garment  10  or maternity band  12  so that the maternity band  12  may be reinstalled if desired. 
     The garment  10  preferably is convertible from a maternity garment  10  (see  FIGS. 1 through 5 ) to a non-maternity garment  10 ′ (see  FIGS. 6  though  10 ). According to a preferred embodiment, the conversion may be carried out by removing the maternity band  12  to convert the alternate waistband  13  to the waistband forming a top of the garment  10 . The non-maternity garment  10 ′ is configured to utilize the alternate waistband  13 , which preferably may be formed from two layers and may be secured with stitching  39 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The alternate waistband stitching  39  also is shown in  FIG. 4  and underlies the maternity band  12  (but in the embodiment illustrated would not be visible to the user in the view of  FIG. 4 ). 
     A preferred method for accomplishing the conversion is achieved by releasing or unfastening the stitching  30  shown connecting the maternity band  12  to the garment bottom  11 . According to a preferred configuration, as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the stitching  30  may terminate prior to the fly area or fly opening  24 , where the stitching  30  has a first terminal end  30   a  and second terminal end  30   b  defining an expansion zone  29  between the terminal ends  30   a ,  30   b  so that the portion of the maternity band  12  proximate to the fly opening  24  may be stretchable as needed by the wearer. For example, when the adjustable fastening component  17  is utilized, the free zone or expansion zone  29  may stretch as needed. The stitching  30  securing the maternity band  12  to the garment  10  preferably is provided in a configuration that permits the maternity band  12  to be open or unattached over the fly opening area  24  of the waistband  13  and bottom  11 . 
     The garment  10  is configured so that the removal of the maternity band  12  provides the converted garment  10 ′ with comfort features. According to a preferred embodiment, the resultant garment  10 ′ ( FIG. 6 ) shows the interior of the garment  10 ′ having a comfort zone which is formed by the alternate waistband  13  which is shown layered with the maternity band  12  in  FIG. 11 ). Preferably, the maternity band  12  is detachable from the garment bottom  11 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , where the garment  10 ′ is shown with the maternity band  12  detached, the edge portion  37  of the waistband is also shown, and, according to a preferred embodiment, has a terminal perimeter portion  37   a.    
     As discussed herein, a preferred connection mechanism that may be used to attach the waistband  12  to the bottom  11  may comprise stitching  30 , which may be broken away or cut to release the upper portion of the waistband  12  from the garment  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the garment  10  has been converted to a non-maternity garment  10 ′. The garment bottom  11  preferably is configured so that it may retain its appearance in both the maternity configuration of the garment  10  and the non-maternity configuration  10 ′. According to a preferred configuration, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the alternate waistband  13  of the garment  10  is shown having a multilayer construction, including an interior layer  13   b  and an exterior layer  13   a . The maternity band  12  is shown attached to the interior layer  13   b  of the alternate waistband  13 . Preferably, the waistband  13  is configured with an extra seam allowance to accommodate the attachment of the maternity band  12 . The maternity band  12  preferably is removably connected to the alternate waistband  13  so that the removal of the maternity band  12  may be accomplished in a manner that maintains the integrity of the alternate waistband  13 . According to preferred embodiments, the releasable fastening component and maternity band  12  preferably are configured to connect to the garment bottom  11  in a manner that allows the maternity band  12  to be removed so that it may be selectively reinstalled, as desired. 
     The convertible maternity garment  10  is configured as described and illustrated, having a first condition that provides a first garment configured and arranged to be worn by a women during her maternity term. The invention also provides a second garment  10 ′ which is configured as a non-maternity garment and which preferably may be constructed from a portion of the first garment  10  to provide a garment having a configuration for non-maternity use. The non-maternity garment  10 ′ is configured attached to at least a portion of said first garment and, according to preferred embodiments, comprises the maternity garment. The maternity garment  10  preferably includes at least a portion that is detachable therefrom, so that the user may form a second garment. According to preferred embodiments, the garment  10  of the invention includes a first band comprising the maternity band  12  and an alternate waistband  13 . The garment  10  is constructed and configured so that the maternity band  12  functions as a waistband for a maternity garment, and the waistband  13  functions as waistband for the non-maternity configured garment. According to a preferred embodiment, the maternity band  12  is arranged to be functional when the garment  10  is used in the first maternity configuration, and the alternate waistband  13  is functional when the garment is used in a non-maternity or second configuration. The alternate waistband  13  preferably is configured to resemble a waistband and also to remain as part of the maternity garment without the need for the alternate waistband  13  to cinch the waist. Rather, the maternity band  12  may be used to support the convertible maternity garment  10  on the body of the wearer. The alternate waistband  13  may be adjusted with the use of an adjustable fastening component  17 . The adjustable fastening component  17  may be utilized to adjust the tension of the garment  10  at the location where the button  15  and button hole  16  are located. The maternity band  12  therefore may be used according to the preferred embodiment when the garment  10  is configured as a maternity garment. Accordingly, the alternate waistband  13  may be provided but may be disabled as a functional waistband when the maternity band  12  is in use, and may be used to function as the garment waistband when the maternity band  12  is detached. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the description is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein and as defined by the appended claims. For example, though the garment  10  may look as illustrated as a skirt, the garment may be configured as a pair of pants, shorts, or other items of apparel according to the invention.