Patent Publication Number: US-4731883-A

Title: Garment ventilation apertures with cover flap

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the ventilation of outer garments, particularly garments such as rainwear garments which commonly are made of non-breathable materials such as rubberized fabrics; (Nylon, and the like.) 
     It is common practice with outer garments made of non-breathable fabrics to provide some form of ventilation apertures cut in the fabric. Such apertures, however, if provided in sufficient numbers to give the garment adequate ventilation, may tend to defeat the very purpose of the garment, notably in providing a waterproofing facility, and the provision of multiple apertures may also be unsightly. 
     Examples of previously proposed garment ventilation systems may be seen in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 
     317,711; May 12, 1885 
     1,381,323; June 14, 1921 
     3,213,465; Oct. 26, 1965 
     3,228,821; Jan. 11, 1966 
     4,576,087; Mar. 18, 1986 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a novel form of garment ventilation system which effectively camouflages the ventilation means and enables relatively large and effective ventilation areas to be provided at locations on garments not generally associated with the provision of ventilation means. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide garment ventilation means under a garment flap, such as a pocket flap, commonly a breast pocket flap, the flap being provided with attachment means for releasably securing same to a portion of the garment thereunder in an arched configuration of the flap providing a form of access duct or tunnel for improving air circulation to and through the ventilation means. 
     Thus, the ventilation means, which may be in the form of apertures in the garment fabric under the flap or in the form of a mesh fabric insert, are generally obscured from view by the flap and yet, when required, can provide improved air circulation and ventilation by moving the flap from a normal flap position in which it substantially blocks the ventilation means into the arched configuration. 
     It is understood that the invention is primarily though not exclusively intended for use with outer garments, particularly rain wear, made of non-breathable fabrics. 
     These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a breast pocket structure of an outer garment with a pocket flap shown in the regular pocket closing position. 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the flap moved to a ventilating position. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view on line 3--3 of FIG. 2. 
     Fiqure 4 is an elevational view of the structure with the flap raised to show the other components of the structure. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An outer garment, such as a waterproof jacket or the like, has a breast pocket 10 secured to a body panel 12 of the garment in conventional manner, and a pocket flap 14 for closing the pocket. The body panel is of a generally non-breathable material such as a rubberized Nylon fabric, or the like. Edge portion 16 of flap 14 is secured, as by sewing to body panel 12 at a location which is spaced somewhat, for example, about a 1/2 inch, above the top of pocket 10. 
     In order to ventilate the garment, at least in part, the body panel 12 is provided with a cutout section into which an insert panel 18 of mesh or like breathable fabric is sewn to provide a ventilation means. The panel may occupy a substantial part of the area between the edge portion 16 of the flap and the top of the pocket, and in the illustrated embodiment actually extends to below the top of the pocket. (In place of the insert panel 18, the body panel 12 could alternatively be provided with an array of ventilation apertures over a similar area.) 
     The lower inner edge portion of flap 14 is provided with a first horizontal Velcro-like strip 20 and the outside of pocket 10 is provided with complementary vertical Velcro-like strips 22. The length of strips 22 is such as to allow the flap 12 to be secured to the outside of the pocket, via the respective Velcro-type strips in a regular pocket closing position as shown in FIG. 1 wherein the flap is substantially flat against the garment and the ventilation insert 18 is effectively blocked. Alternatively, the flap may be secured in a ventilating position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein thc flap is somewhat arched and provides a tunnel outside of insert 18 which allows for air circulation to and from the insert for improved ventilation without exposing the ventilation insert to view. It will be understood that attachment means other than Velcro-type strips can be used for releasably securing the flap in its respective positions. Also, the ventilation means may be provided in association with one or more pockets in a particular garment. Furthermore, it is not essential that the ventilation means-obscuring flap necessarily need be associated with a garment pocket. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.