Abstract:
A combination backpack and garment carrying apparatus is disclosed. The combination backpack and garment carrying apparatus includes a back plate, a cover, a frame, and garment segments. These pieces combined together create a combination backpack and garment carrying apparatus that allows the wearer to easily access, store, and carry a costume. The wearer activates a switch on the combination backpack and garment carrying apparatus and opens the lids allowing the garment segments to fall out and be pulled over the wearer&#39;s arms, legs, and head.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a costume and, more particularly, to a costume that is integrated with a storage case, both of which are to be worn by the user. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Children enjoy dressing up and playing with costumes of their favorite characters. In order to do this, the child usually must carry around bulky costumes that include many different pieces. With these types of costumes, pieces can become lost or broken destroying the costume integrity. Additionally, it is difficult for children to carry bulky costumes with multiple pieces when going to school or to play with friends. Therefore, it is desirable that a costume be designed that is easy to carry, is in discrete pieces, is part of one integral system, and does not become separated so as to avoid becoming lost or damaged. 
         [0003]    Various techniques have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. D260697 (Fitzgerald et al.), D260698 (Fitzgerald et al.), 4,057,854 (Phelps), 4,174,059 (Maunder), 4,662,550 (O&#39;Donnell), 4,689,831 (Greenberger et al.), 5,165,111 (Lieberman), 5,255,834 (Bendersky), 5,379,911 (Goto et al.), 5,526,969 (Greenberger), 5,815,833 (Kuo), 5,878,931 (Morphet), 6,134,712 (Spector), 6,343,968 (Louie et al.), 6,564,388 (Poston), 6,751,806 (Hinnant) and U.S. Patent Application No. 20060070169 (Liff et al.) to create bags with integral garments or children&#39;s play characters. However, these disclosures suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages. First, none of these inventions include a child&#39;s play costume as an integral part of the carrying device. Second, all of these inventions are cumbersome. Third, none of these inventions are simple designs that are easy and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The present invention overcomes all of these deficiencies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is directed to a carrying apparatus that provides the user the ability to easily access, store, and carry a costume that is an integral part of the carrying apparatus. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment carrying apparatus with at least one compartment having a lid and at least one garment segment. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention for the garment segment to be housed in the compartment such that when the lid is opened, the garment segment is accessible to be worn by the user of the garment carrying apparatus. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment carrying apparatus that includes a costume as an integral part of the carrying apparatus. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment carrying apparatus that is not cumbersome when worn. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment carrying apparatus that easy and inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a garment carrying apparatus that prevents a child&#39;s costume from getting lost. 
         [0011]    The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the dry snorkel when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. 
         [0012]    Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later developed equivalent structures, materials, or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows the invention on the back of a user. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the garment carrying apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of the cover of the preferred embodiment of the garment carrying apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the back plate and the frame that forms the compartments of the preferred embodiment of the garment carrying apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a view of the back plate and the shoulder straps and waist belt of the preferred embodiment of the garment carrying apparatus. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the deployed costume from the garment carrying apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    An exploded view of the garment carrying apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 2 . In the preferred embodiment, the garment carrying apparatus  10  comprises a back plate  100 , a frame  200 , a cover  300 , and an outfit made of garment segments  400  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The back plate  100 , frame  200 , and cover  300  are coupled together such that four compartments  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125  are created inside the garment carrying apparatus  10 . Each of these four compartments  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125  house a garment segment  400 . 
         [0020]    In the preferred embodiment, the cover  300  is coupled to the frame  200  with an adhesive. The cover  300  is made of molded flexible urethane or foam and includes fields for decals. The back plate  100  is secured to the frame  200  with fasteners  230  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The fasteners  230  are inserted into holes  235  that are along both sides of the back plate  100  and the frame  200   
         [0021]    The frame  200  includes dividers  220  that partition the frame into the four compartments  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125 . The four compartments  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125  are located so that the wearer can access the garment segments  400  to be worn on his or her head, arms, and legs. Specifically, the top compartment  110  houses the garment segment  400  that the wearer would pull over his or her head. The bottom compartment  120  houses the garment segment  400  that the wearer would pull over his or her legs. Finally, the side compartments  115  and  125  house the garment segments  400  that the wearer would pull over his or her arms. 
         [0022]    Further, the frame  200  includes lids  210  that allow the wearer to access the garment segments  400 . The lids  210 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , are located over each compartment  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125 . In the preferred embodiment, the lids  210  are hinged and open when activated by the wearer. There are switches or knobs on the frame  200  of the combination garment carrying apparatus  10  that the wearer manipulates to open the lids  210 . It is preferred that the lids  210  open simultaneously allowing the side and bottom garment segments  400  to slightly fall out of the side and bottom compartments  115 ,  120 , and  125 . When the side and bottom garment segments  400  fall out of the side and bottom compartments  115 ,  120 , and  125 , the wearer stretches the side and bottom garment segments  400  over his or her arms and legs. The wearer can then reach over his or her head to pull out the top segment  400  from the top compartment  110 . 
         [0023]    The garment segments  400  remain attached to the compartments  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125  when accessed and worn by the wearer. This allows the garment carrying apparatus  10  to be an integral part of the costume garment. Because the garment segments  400  are attached to the compartments  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125 , the garment segments are not easily lost or broken. Additionally, when the user wishes to replace and store the garment segments  400  when finished wearing the costume, the top, bottom, and side garment segments  400  are easily returned into their respective compartments  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125 . 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment, the garment segments  400  create a costume as seen in  FIG. 6 . The garment carrying apparatus  10  includes a unique type of costume such as a variety of animals, superheroes, etc. Any type of costume that would appeal to the wearer could be part of the invention. Additionally, because the garment segments  400  remain attached to the compartments  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125 , the cover  300  of the garment carrying apparatus  10  would also be decorated to match the costume. 
         [0025]    The back plate  100  further includes shoulder straps  150  and a waist belt  160  to allow the wearer to attach the garment carrying apparatus  10  to his or her back as seen in  FIG. 1 . In the preferred embodiment, the back plate  100  includes three pair of slots  170 ,  175 , and  180  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Two pair of slots  170  and  175  receive the shoulder straps  150 . The slots  170  and  175  that receive the shoulder straps  150  are positioned toward the top of the back plate  100 , and the shoulder straps  150  are threaded through the slots  170  and  175  such that the wearer can slide his or her arms through the shoulder straps  150  and carry the garment carrying apparatus  10  on his or her back. The waist belt  160  is threaded through the pair of slots  180  that are located toward the bottom of the back plate  100 . 
         [0026]    Preferably, the shoulder straps  150  and the waist belt  160  include pads where a hook and loop type fastener can attach. The garment segments  400  each include a hook and loop type fastener that attaches to the shoulder straps  150  and the waist belt  160  when worn over the arms and legs. This allows the wearer to keep the garment secured to him while the garment segments  400  are deployed and being worn. 
         [0027]    The waist belt  160  further includes a belt buckle  165 . Preferably, the belt buckle  165  is made of plastic and includes an electronic mechanism. The electronic mechanism includes a battery pack, a small speaker, and a number of buttons and lights. The electronic mechanism on the belt buckle  165  provides an additional element to the costume garment included in the garment carrying apparatus  10 . 
         [0028]    The preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the one embodiment, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.