Patent Publication Number: US-10772365-B2

Title: Convertible garment

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of clothing and more particularly to a garment that adjusts for various wearing uses and styles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There exist many scarfs, shawls, and capes, each having certain design, shapes, coloring, patterns, etc., to provide a given look or style to a person wearing such items. These items are typically single-purpose; as a scarf is not worn as a cape or a shawl, etc. 
     Closed garments typically have a fixed-sized opening of a certain size, for example, a head opening for a poncho. Having a fixed sized opening, such garments do not permit conversion between many different styles. 
     What is needed is a garment that is adjustable so that it can be worn as a cape, toga, cowl, shawl, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     A garment is disclosed that includes a panel of material having at least one main opening through which a person&#39;s head will fit. The material includes a partial slit (e.g., the slit does not bifurcate the panel of material) emanating from the main opening, providing a main opening that has an adjustable size (e.g. diameter) by way of knotting the partial slit to allow for donning the garment over different locations of the person&#39;s body such as in the neck area or chest area. Fitting over the chest area, the garment is then convertible into a cape by pulling the front of the garment over the wearer&#39;s head. 
     In one embodiment, a garment is disclosed including a panel of material having an outer edge and a main opening. A slit is formed in the panel of material. An open end of the slit interfaces to the main opening and a closed end of the slit ends between the main opening and the outer edge of the panel. The slit is configured to be tied where the slit meets the main opening to adjust a size of the main opening so that the garment is wearable in various configurations. 
     In another embodiment, a method of wearing a garment is disclosed. The garment has a panel of material with an outer edge and a main opening. A slit is formed in the panel of material with an open end interfaced to the main opening and a closed end ending between the main opening and the outer edge. The method of wearing includes tying a knot in the garment where the slit is interfaced to the main opening and pulling the garment over one&#39;s head, thereby donning the garment around one&#39;s neck, similar to a poncho. Later, holding an edge of the opening and pulling the front portion of the garment over the head, thereby converting the garment into a cape. 
     In another embodiment, a garment is disclosed including a panel of material having a substantially round outer edge and a substantially round and centered main opening. The panel has a slit formed there within. An open end of the slit interfaced to the main opening and a closed end of the slit ends between the main opening and the outer edge of the panel. The slit is configured to be tied where the slit meets the main opening to adjust a size of the main opening so that the garment is wearable in various configurations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate plan views of a garment having a circular outer shape. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of the garment having a circular outer shape with dual slits. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a plan view of the garment having an oval outer shape. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a plan view of the garment having an octagonal outer shape. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate plan views of the garment having a circular outer shape with arm openings. 
         FIGS. 8-15  illustrate perspective views of the garment transitioning into a cape. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Throughout this description, the garment is made of any suitable material. As an example the garment is made of a cloth material having resilient properties so as to be able to stretch, for example, to stretch over a person&#39;s shoulders, waist, etc. In some embodiments, the material is a sheer fabric so as to be easily tied, as will be shown. It is fully anticipated that the garment be colored, textured, printed, dyed, etc., to provide a suitable look as desired. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , plan views of a garment  10  having rounded outer shapes are shown. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the garment  10  has an entirely circular outer shape and is made of a monolithic sheet of material (e.g. not comprising separate pieces of material) with a single slit  14 . In  FIG. 3 , the garment  10  has an entirely circular outer shape and is made of a monolithic sheet of material (e.g. not comprising separate pieces of material) with dual slits  14 . Each point  94 A/ 94 B at an end of a slit  14  is independently capable of being tied by stretching a first point  94 A of the slit  14  over the second point  94 B of the slit  14  as indicated by arrows  95 A and  95 B. The resulting tied points  94 A/ 94 B are shown in  FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 . 
     The garment  10  is fabricated to wear in many different configurations; thereby the garment  10  is adjustable to suit the style of the wearer. The garment  10  consists of a panel of material  12  that in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3  is generally round ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) or oval ( FIG. 3 ). The garment  10  has at a main opening  20  that has a slit  14  for adjusting the size of the main opening  20 . Although any suitable material is anticipated for the panel of material  12 , a sheer fabric is preferred so that the wearer is able to tie the panel of material  12  where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20 , thereby adjusting the size of the main opening  20  for wearing the garment  10  in several different modes. For example, the wearer ties the panel of material  12  where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20  and dons the garment  10  over their head, similar to a poncho. The description of  FIGS. 8-15  shows how the garment  10  is worn in various other modes through the use of the adjustable main opening  20 . 
     In some embodiments, the slit  14  if made/formed by cutting the panel of material  10  and, in some embodiments, the cut, as well as the edge of the main opening  20  is edged, for example, a surged edge. 
     In  FIG. 2 , it is shown how the panel of material  12  is tied into a knot  16  where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20 , thereby reducing the overall dimensions of the main opening  20 . 
     Although the main opening  20  is shown as being generally round, any shape of main opening  20  is anticipated, for example, a generally oval shaped main opening  20 . 
     The panel of material  12  is made of a fabric, for example, a sheer fabric. As such fabrics tend to unravel, in some embodiments the panel of material  12  is hemmed with stitching  18  or any known finishing (e.g. a surged edge) is used to prevent the edges of the material  12  from fraying or unraveling. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , plan views of the garment  10  having various outer shapes are shown. In  FIG. 4 , the garment  10 A is shown having an oval outer shape. In  FIG. 5 , the garment  10 B is shown having an octagonal outer shape. 
     Although shown in round, oval and octagonal shapes, there is no limitation as to the outer shape of the panel  12  as well as the shape of the main opening  20  and/or any other optional openings of the garment  10 . The overall shape of the garment  10  is anticipated, but in no way limited to, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, octagonal, hexagonal, etc. In some embodiments, the overall shape of the garment  10  is regular and symmetrical and in some embodiments, asymmetrical. 
     The garment  10 A/ 10 B is fabricated to wear in many different configurations; thereby the garment  10 A/ 10 B is adjustable to suit the style of the wearer. The garment  10 A/ 10 B consists of a panel of material  12  that in the embodiments of  FIGS. 4 and 5  is generally oval ( FIG. 4 ) or octagonal ( FIG. 5 ). The garment  10 A/ 10 B has at a main opening  20  that has a slit  14  for adjusting the size of the main opening  20 . Although any suitable material is anticipated for the panel of material  12 A/ 12 B, a sheer fabric is preferred so that the wearer is able to tie the panel of material  12 A/ 12 B where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20 , thereby adjusting the size of the main opening  20  for wearing the garment  10 A/ 10 B in several different modes. For example, the wearer ties the panel of material  12 A/ 12 B where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20  and dons the garment  10 A/ 10 B over their head, similar to a poncho. The description of  FIGS. 7-14  shows how the garment  10 A/ 10 B is worn in various other modes through the use of the adjustable main opening  20 . 
     Again, although the main opening  20  is shown as being generally round, any shape of main opening  20  is anticipated, for example, a generally oval shaped main opening  20 . 
     As said, the panel of material  12 A/ 12 B is made of a fabric, for example, a sheer fabric. As such fabrics tend to unravel, in some embodiments the panel of material  12  is hemmed with stitching  18  or any known finishing is used to prevent the edges of the material  12  from fraying or unraveling (e.g. a surged edge). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , plan views of the garment  10 C/ 10 D are shown with auxiliary openings  22  (e.g. arm openings). The garment  10 C/ 10 D is fabricated to wear in many different configurations; thereby the garment  10 C/ 10 D is adjustable to suit the style of the wearer. The garment  10 C/ 10 D consists of a panel of material  12  that in the embodiments of  FIGS. 6 and 7  is generally round. The garment  10 C/ 10 D has at a main opening  20  that has a slit  14  for adjusting the size of the main opening  20 . Although any suitable material is anticipated for the panel of material  12 , a sheer fabric is preferred so that the wearer is able to tie the panel of material  12  where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20 , thereby adjusting the size of the main opening  20  for wearing the garment  10 C/ 10 D in several different modes. For example, the wearer ties the panel of material  12  where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20  and dons the garment  10 C/ 10 D over their head, similar to a poncho. The description of  FIGS. 7-14  shows how the garment  10 C/ 10 D is worn in various other modes through the use of the adjustable main opening  20 . 
     Although the auxiliary openings  22  are shown being round, any shape of auxiliary opening  22  is anticipated (e.g. oval). It is further anticipated that, in some embodiments, the auxiliary openings  22  also have slits  14  (not shown for clarity purposes), making the auxiliary openings  22  adjustable, like the main opening  20 . 
     Although the main opening  20  is shown as being generally round, any shape of main opening  20  is anticipated, for example, a generally oval shaped main opening  20 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the location of the main opening  20  can be at any location on the material  18  as long as the outer edge of the material  18  is closed. 
     As said, the panel of material  12  is made of a fabric, for example, a sheer fabric. As such fabrics tend to unravel, in some embodiments the panel of material  12  is hemmed with stitching  18  or any known finishing is used to prevent the edges of the material  12  from fraying or unraveling (e.g. a surged edge). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-15 , perspective views of the garment  10  are shown transitioning into a cape. In  FIG. 8 , the garment  10  is shown being worn by a person  40  around the person&#39;s neck  41 , similar to a poncho. In this mode of wearing, the knot  16  is tied in the panel of material  12  where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20 , as the main opening  20  fits over the head of the person  40 . Otherwise, the main opening  20  is too large and may fall down over the shoulders of the wearer. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the knot  16  tied in the panel of material  12  where the slit  14  meets the main opening  20  has been re-adjusted to increase the size of the main opening  20 . It is also anticipated that the slit  14  be left untied during donning as a cape. Being adjustable in size, the main opening  20  provides a large enough opening as to fit over the upper torso  42  of the person  40 . In some embodiments, this is further aided by the material  12  having a certain amount of resiliency as do many sheer fabrics. By using such resilient materials, the main opening  20  is easier to pull over the greater dimensions of the person&#39;s shoulders. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the main opening  20  is brought over the torso of the person  40 . In  FIG. 10 , the person  40  grasps the edges of the main opening  20 . In this view, only the top surface of the panel  12  is visible. 
     In  FIG. 11 , the person  40  tucks their head and pulls the main opening  20  over their head. Note that the reverse side  13  of the paned  12  is visible. In  FIG. 12 , the garment  10  is shown transitioned into a cape.  FIG. 13  shows the same cape, with the sleeve area bunched for a slightly different look. 
     In  FIG. 14 , the back of the person  40  is shown with the inside surface  13  of the panel  12  now on the outside of the back of the person  40 . In  FIG. 15 , a side view of the person  40  is shown, highlighting the cape style of the garment  10 . 
     Although the slit  14  is shown using a knot  16  to change the size of the main opening  20 , it is equally anticipated to use various fasteners to adjust the size of the main opening. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.