Abstract:
A clothing protector that is easy to apply and remove. The clothing protector includes a bib portion and two elongated flaps. In use the flaps extend over a user&#39;s shoulders and hang down past the shoulder blades. The flaps have pockets for retaining small weights. A user can place weights in the pockets prior to donning the clothing protector for the purpose of helping the bib portion stay in place. The clothing protector can be removed by simply dislodging one of the straps or pulling forward on the bib portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/555,798 filed on Nov. 4, 2011, entitled ‘Easy-on-Easy-off Clothing Protector”. The patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a garment protector. More specifically, it relates to a clothing protector suitable for use by people of all ages. The clothing protector does not require any tying or fastening and thus will be appreciated by users with a limited range of motion. 
         [0004]    Clothing protectors are frequently worn by small children because they lack the motor skills necessary to prevent food from falling onto their clothes while they are eating. But this is not the only use for clothing protectors. People eating messy meals such as lobster or wings use clothing protectors to prevent liquids from getting on their clothing. Elderly and disabled persons who lack fine motor control, also use bibs during meals. Most bibs comprises a clothing shield and two long strands that can be tied together around a user&#39;s neck. For robust people with good coordination, tying a bib around the neck is not a problem, but for people with poor motor skills or a limited range of motion a standard bib can be difficult to use. 
         [0005]    Disposable clothing protectors pose another problem in that they are often made of thin plastic and become easily knotted. Knotted plastic can be extremely difficult to remove without tearing or cutting the plastic. Tearing the clothing protector off requires that a user exert substantial force to pull the device away from his or her neck. This can result in strains, injured hands, and neck pains. Similarly, cutting the clothing protector requires the use of a sharp object near the user&#39;s neck. The risk of serious injury is high when sharp objects are used in proximity to the neck and face. To reduce the risk of injury an provide users of all ages and coordination levels with a means for shielding clothing from spills, a clothing protection device is needed that is easy to apply and remove and remains in place while in use. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    The present invention is an easy to apply clothing protector for a user&#39;s torso. The clothing protector has two elongated flaps that extend over a user&#39;s shoulders. Pockets at the end of the flaps can be used to hold small weights, which assist in keeping the clothing protector in place. The prior art discloses several easy to apply clothing protectors but none that include a pair of elongated flaps or the ability to retain weights. 
         [0008]    A single strap bib is disclosed by Cosmo, U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,596. The bib is has a shape similar to that of a hotel door hanger, e.g. a “do not disturb” sign. A single curled strap extends upward from the top of the clothing protector and forms a loop with one open side. The user slides his or her neck in the opening and allows the curled strap to rest on the neck. In this way the device is supported by the user&#39;s neck and can be easily pulled off without untying or unfastening any straps. Unlike the present invention, Fosmo does not disclose a means for weighting down the bib to prevent it from sliding around or falling off the user&#39;s neck. 
         [0009]    Another neck supported clothing protector is disclosed by Fus, Sr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,836,900. Fus describes a cloth bib having a sleeve disposed along an upper edge. A C-shaped plastic collar is threaded through the sleeve to create a bib with a neck securement means. The user&#39;s neck can be inserted through the opening at the back of the collar and is held in place via gentle pressure on the neck from the collar. To remove the bib, the user pulls on the front of the collar or bib, pulling it off the neck. This invention is easy to put on and take off, but does require pressure on a user&#39;s neck, which can result in injury if a person is not careful. Elderly persons often have thin skin or neck conditions that can result in pain to the user if pressure is placed on the neck region. The present invention solves this problem by providing a pair of elongated straps that are lightly weighted, to hold the clothing protector in place without requiring a user to push a collar onto his or her neck. 
         [0010]    Other inventions are directed towards clothing protectors that wrap around the neck and shoulders. Daniel, U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,624 discloses a wrap-around drape for protecting a user&#39;s shoulders and upper chest. The drape has slits cut in the side to provide room for the crest of the shoulders. When the drape is in place around the shoulders, an upper portion of the drape forms a collar. This collar removably secures the clothing protector to the user. It can be secured via fastener means or left to drape. Like other devices in the prior art, Daniel does not disclose pockets for holding weights. The present invention provides a means for weighting the clothing protector down to secure it to a user. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a clothing protector that can easily be applied and removed and can be weighted to maintain positioning around a user&#39;s neck. It substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing clothing protector devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of clothing protector devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new pair of elongated flaps having pockets for weights wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when protecting clothing from food residue while a user is eating. 
         [0013]    The easy-to-use clothing protector comprises a bib portion and two flap portions. The bib portion covers a user&#39;s upper torso and the flaps drape over a user&#39;s shoulders. Small pockets with a resealable closure are disposed at the ends of the flaps for holding small weights while the device is in use. Any sort of lightweight item can be placed within the resealable pockets and used to counterbalance the bib portion. Providing a small amount of weight on the flap portions prevents the bib from sliding down the front of a user&#39;s chest or falling off. Despite the steady positioning of the device, it is easy to remove via gentle tugging on the bib portion. In this way the device is easy for users with a limited range of motion to use. 
         [0014]    The clothing protector can be made of entirely the same material or can have front and rear layers constructed of different materials. Examples of such materials include terry cloth, washable plastic-coated cloth, and cotton. Because the device is re-useable, the construction material should be washable. 
         [0015]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved clothing protector device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0016]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide elongated flaps that can be draped over a user&#39;s shoulders without requiring anything be tied around a user&#39;s neck. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a clothing protector that can be weighted down with any objects the user feels appropriate. Thus the invention provides the ability to customize the fit to an individual user&#39;s body. 
         [0018]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to apply and easy to remove clothing protector that can be used by people with a limited range of motion. 
         [0019]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a clothing protector that is washable and reusable. 
         [0020]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the front of the clothing protector with the elongated straps extended. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the rear of the clothing protector. This embodiment features a rear layer constructed of a material different from that of the front layer. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows the clothing protector being applied by a user. One elongated flap is draped over the user&#39;s shoulder already while the user lifts another flap for placement over the shoulder. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a rear view of the device in use with the elongated straps draped over a user&#39;s shoulders. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5A  shows a cross-sectional view of the pocket of an elongated flap, as viewed from the bottom end of the flap. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5B  shows a cross-sectional view of the pocket of an elongated flap as viewed from a long side of the flap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the clothing protector. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for protecting a user&#39;s clothing from liquids and food while a user is eating. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIG. 1 . The front layer of the clothing protector device is shown. The front layer  13  of the device is exposed with part of the bib portion  11  curled back to expose the rear surface  12 . Elongated flaps  14  are extended with their pockets face down (not shown). The front layer of the device can be made from any comfortable, washable material such as terry cloth or cotton. This layer absorbs moisture from food and drink spills, or saliva, to prevent the user&#39;s cloths from being soiled. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a clothing protector with the rear layer facing upward. The clothing protector has a bib portion  11  and two elongated straps  14 . A rear layer  12  faces upward and the flaps are shown in an extended, flattened position. Pockets  15  are disposed at the end of the flaps for holding small weights. A fastening means (not shown) is used to removably secure an upper edge of the pockets to the rear layer of the elongated flaps. The rear layer can be constructed from a variety of materials, and preferably is water-resistant. Such construction allows a user to wipe off any liquids or food debris spilled on the clothing protector. Optionally, a border  19  can be used as an edge trim or a means for securing the front layer to a rear layer. 
         [0031]    When a user dons the clothing protector, as shown in  FIG. 3 , he or she places one elongated flap over a shoulder then positions the bib portion across the chest and tosses the second flap over the remaining shoulder. The device is easy to apply because no tying or affixing is required. An elongated flap  14  is easy to place over the first shoulder  16 , via a simple draping motion. The second elongated flap can then be gripped by the user and positioned on the second shoulder. This process positions the bib portion  11  directly under a user&#39;s neck  17 , with the front layer  13  exposed. In an alternative embodiment, the device has a small crumb-catcher pocket  21  secured along the lower edge of the bib portion to catch food particles. 
         [0032]    The back of a user wearing the clothing protector device is shown in  FIG. 4 . The elongated flaps  14  are hung over a user&#39;s shoulders  16  and hang loosely down the user&#39;s back. Resealable pockets (not shown) at the end of each flap are provided for holding weights. The user can place small objects in the pocket prior to donning the clothing protector for the purpose of counterbalancing the bib portion. Without counterweights, the weight of the bib portion or the motion of a user could cause the device to fall off during use. The choice of what weights to use is left to the user. Any suitably sized weight can be used in the pockets. Alternatively, the device may be manufactured to include a set of small weights for use in the pockets. The size and shape of a user, as well as their activity level, will dictate the amount of weight needed to sufficiently counterbalance the bib portion when in use. Thus the invention provides users with the ability to adjust the amount of weight used as they see fit. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , cross-sectional views of the pockets are shown. The front layer  13  and rear layer  12  join together to form the body of the clothing protector. The pocket is comprised of an additional set of material  12 , 13  that is secured along a lower edge of the elongated flap to form a recess with an open upper edge. Objects of various size and weight can be placed within the pocket and enclosed therein, using the fastening means  18 . For example, a smooth stone  20  can be used as a simple weight. The fastening means may be hook and loop fasteners, a snap, a button, or the like. In an alternative embodiment, a third layer is disposed between the front and rear layers. This third layer is a padding layer for increasing the thickness of the device as well as the comfort to a user. It should be noted that the third layer is also comprised of a washable material to permit cleaning and re-use of the device. 
         [0034]    In use an individual opens the pockets of the elongated flaps and places small weights in each pocket. Then the user reseals the pockets via the fastening means. The user grips a first elongated flap and slides it over one shoulder so that the front layer is facing upward and the flap pocket is behind the user. The second flap is then pulled up over the user&#39;s other shoulder until the bib portion is positioned squarely across a user&#39;s chest and both pockets dangle along the user&#39;s back. Food and beverages can be consumed by the user without fear of soiling the user&#39;s clothing. To remove the device, the user simply reverses the process and slides the elongated flaps off his shoulders or gently pulling he bib portion away from the user&#39;s chest. 
         [0035]    The present invention provides an easy-to-use clothing protector that is safe for use by people of all ages. The clothing protector has a bib portion to protect and shield a user&#39;s clothing from spills, two elongated flaps that extend over the shoulders and pockets for holding counterweights. The type of weights placed in the pockets can be varied to change the fit of the clothing protector on a user&#39;s chest. At least two layers are used in the construction of the device, a front layer and a rear layer. An intermediate padding layer may be included but is not necessary. The two layers can be made of the same material or two different fabrics. For example the rear layer may be made of a water-resistant fabric while the front layer is a soft garment quality fabric. The clothing protector is easy to put on because it does not require tying or placing anything around the neck, actions which require a substantial range of motion. Even users with limited range of motion or poor motor skills will still be able to don and remove the device. In this way, the clothing protector provides a removable clothing shield to users of all types even those who lack the ability to use conventional bibs. 
         [0036]    To this point, the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0037]    Therefore, 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.