Patent Description:
Document <CIT> discloses a convertible vest and jacket system according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Traditional garments that can be converted from a vest to a jacket and vice versa, typically require a wearer to awkwardly manipulate his or her arms out of the sleeves when converting the jacket to a vest. Moreover, once the sleeves are doffed, time-consuming manipulations, such as rolling up the sleeves must occur prior to stowing the sleeves. And storage pockets for the doffed sleeves are often positioned in locations on the vest that are uncomfortable to the wearer, affect wearer movements, and/or negatively impact the aesthetics of the vest.

At a high level, aspects herein are directed to a convertible vest and jacket system. As used herein, the term "garment" may be used to more generally describe the convertible vest/jacket system. The garment comprises features that enable a wearer to easily transition from the vest to the jacket and vice versa. Moreover, the garment described herein provides a convenient storage system for the doffed sleeves such that the stowed sleeves do not impact wearer movements and do not negatively impact the aesthetics of the garment.

According to the invention garment comprises sleeves having a proximal end and a distal end. A posterior portion of the proximal end of each sleeve is permanently affixed to a torso portion of the garment adjacent to a posterior edge of a sleeve opening of the garment. And an anterior portion of the proximal end of each sleeve may be releasably coupled to the torso portion adjacent to an anterior edge of the sleeve opening of the garment. The garment additionally comprises a pocket located on an inner-facing surface of a back aspect of the torso portion of the garment where the pocket may extend across a vertical midline of the back aspect. When the garment is in the form of a jacket, the anterior portion of each of the sleeves is releasably coupled to the torso portion adjacent to the anterior edge of the sleeve openings so that the sleeves are secured to the torso portion of the garment, and a wearer may don the jacket by passing her arms through the sleeve openings and into the sleeves.

When the wearer wishes to convert the jacket to a vest, the wearer can, in example aspects, doff the jacket, uncouple the anterior portion of the proximal end of each sleeve from the torso portion adjacent to the anterior edge of the sleeve openings of the garment, manipulate the distal end of the sleeves inwardly through the sleeve openings, and stow both of the sleeves in the pocket located on the inner-facing surface of the back aspect of the torso portion of the garment. Because of the permanent attachment of the posterior portion of the proximal end of each sleeve to the torso portion of the garment, the sleeves still remain attached to the garment which helps prevent inadvertent loss of the sleeves. Further, by positioning the pocket used to stow the sleeves on the inner-facing surface of the back aspect of the torso portion, the stowed sleeves generally do not interfere with wearer movement or comfort, and the aesthetic features of the garment are maintained (i.e., the stowed sleeves do not affect the contours of the front of the garment and the stowed sleeves are not visible when viewing the back of the garment). In addition, use of a single pocket to stow the sleeves, as opposed to multiple pockets, reduces manufacturing steps and costs, and contributes to a lighter weight for the garment.

Positional terms as used herein to describe the convertible vest and jacket system such as "front," "back," "upper," "proximal," "distal," "anterior," "posterior," "lower," "bottom," "inner-facing surface," "outer-facing surface," and the like are to be given their customary meaning with respect to an appropriately sized upper-body garment worn as intended and as shown and described herein by a wearer standing in an upright position. For example, the "front" of a garment is configured to cover a front torso area and/or a front arm area of a wearer, and the "back" of the garment is configured to cover a back torso area and/or a back arm area of the wearer. The term "about" when used in relation to measurements means within ± <NUM>% of a designated value. Terms such as "attached," "secured," "affixed," and the like may mean elements that are releasably attached to one another using, for example, snap systems, slider systems, hook-and-loop closure systems, releasable adhesives, buttons, hooks, and the like. These terms may further mean elements that are permanently attached to one another using, for example, stitching, bonding, welding, and the like.

The term "mesh," or "mesh material" as used herein may mean a textile having a large number of closely spaced holes. Aspects herein contemplate that the mesh material may be formed from a loosely knitted or woven textile, or the mesh material may be formed by perforating a textile in a post-weaving or post-knitting step to form the holes. The term "first vest state" as used herein refers to the convertible vest and jacket system when the system is in the form of a vest (i.e., a sleeveless garment configured to primarily cover a wearer's torso portion). And the term "second jacket state" as used herein refers to the convertible vest and jacket system when the system is in the form of a jacket (i.e., a garment having sleeves). The term "releasable fastener system" as used herein refers to a fastener system that can be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled to respectively secure or disengage components from each other. Example releasable fastener systems may include buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, slider systems including zippers, and the like. In line with this, the term "complementary" when describing components of a releasable fastener system means components having structures that mechanically engage with each other.

Turning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, front and back views of a garment <NUM> in the form of a vest <NUM> are illustrated in accordance with aspects herein. The vest <NUM> comprises a torso portion <NUM> having a front aspect <NUM> shown in <FIG> and a back aspect <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The front aspect <NUM> and the back aspect <NUM> together define a neck opening <NUM>, a waist opening <NUM>, a first sleeve opening <NUM>, and a second sleeve opening <NUM>. In example aspects, the front aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM> comprises a slider system <NUM> that can be used to releasably couple a first front aspect half <NUM> and a second front aspect half <NUM>. The vest <NUM> may optionally comprise features such as a hood (not shown) that can be stowed, for instance, in a collar portion of the vest <NUM>. The vest <NUM> may also optionally comprise additional features such as pockets, and adjustment systems that enable, for instance, the circumference of the waist opening <NUM> to be adjusted and/or the circumference of distal sleeve openings to be adjusted.

With respect to the first sleeve opening <NUM> and the second sleeve opening <NUM>, each of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> comprises an anterior edge <NUM> and a posterior edge <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) that generally circumscribe the respective first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM>. To describe this differently, the anterior edge <NUM> of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> is generally formed by the front aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM>, and the posterior edge <NUM> of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> is generally formed by the back aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM>. In example aspects, a releasable fastener <NUM> is located adjacent to (within from about <NUM> to about <NUM>) the anterior edge <NUM> of the first sleeve opening <NUM> and the second sleeve opening <NUM>, and the releasable fastener <NUM> is positioned on an inner-facing surface of the vest <NUM>. The releasable fastener <NUM> may comprise, for instance, a hook component of a hook-and-loop fastener system or a loop component of a hook-and-loop fastener system, a button hole or a button, a female snap component or a male snap component (including magnetic snap components), and the like. Continuing, in example aspects, there may be more than one releasable fastener <NUM> positioned adjacent to the anterior edge <NUM> of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in example aspects, there may comprise a first releasable fastener <NUM> positioned toward the superior part of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> and a second releasable fastener <NUM> positioned toward the inferior part of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM>. Additional releasable fasteners are contemplated herein including a slider system. Providing more than one releasable fastener <NUM> for each of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> may provide a more secure attachment of the sleeves of the garment <NUM>.

<FIG> is provided to illustrate additional features of the vest <NUM> of the garment <NUM> in accordance with aspects herein. In <FIG>, the front aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM> is removed to provide a view of the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM>. As will be referenced below, a hypothetical vertical midline <NUM> is depicted which divides the back aspect <NUM> into generally equal left and right halves where the hypothetical vertical midline <NUM> extends from an approximate center of the neck opening <NUM> to an approximate center of the waist opening <NUM>.

In example aspects, the vest <NUM> comprises a pocket <NUM> positioned on the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM> where the pocket <NUM> extends across the vertical midline <NUM>. In example aspects, the pocket <NUM> may be positioned such that the vertical midline <NUM> bisects the pocket <NUM> into two generally equal right and left halves. Further, in example aspects, the pocket <NUM> is positioned on an upper half of the back aspect <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM>. For instance, an upper margin <NUM> of the pocket <NUM> may be positioned adjacent (with about <NUM> to about <NUM>) to the neck opening <NUM>, and a bottom margin <NUM> of the pocket <NUM> may be positioned approximately halfway (± about <NUM>) between the neck opening <NUM> and the waist opening <NUM>.

Continuing, the pocket <NUM> may be formed in example aspects by positioning a material <NUM> such as a mesh material adjacent to the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM> so that a single, continuous, uninterrupted pocket space is formed between the two layers where the single, continuous, uninterrupted pocket space extends across the vertical midline <NUM>. Use of a mesh material may contribute to wearer comfort by facilitating air movement between the pocket space and, for instance, a wearer's body. Also, use of a mesh material may help decrease the weight of the garment <NUM>. In example aspects, the material <NUM> may be affixed to the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM> at least at its upper margin <NUM> and its bottom margin <NUM>. It may also be affixed along a portion of its side margins as shown in <FIG>. The pocket <NUM> comprises a first pocket opening <NUM> positioned on a first lateral side of the pocket <NUM>, and the pocket <NUM> comprises a second pocket opening <NUM> positioned on a second lateral side of the pocket <NUM>. In example aspects, each of the first and second pocket openings <NUM> and <NUM> may comprise an inner pocket opening edge <NUM> and an outer pocket opening edge. The inner pocket opening edge <NUM> may be formed from the material <NUM> and the outer pocket opening edge may comprise the posterior edge <NUM> of each of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM>. The inner pocket opening edge <NUM> and the posterior edge <NUM> of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> together circumscribe or define the first and second pocket openings <NUM> and <NUM>. Because the posterior edge <NUM> of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> forms the outer pocket opening edge, the first pocket opening <NUM> and the second pocket opening <NUM> are positioned adjacent and medial to the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., within from about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM>). With continued respect to <FIG>, when the garment <NUM> is in the form of the vest <NUM>, a first sleeve <NUM> and a second sleeve <NUM> of the garment <NUM> are stowed within the pocket <NUM> (the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> are shown in dashed line to indicate they are positioned interior to the material <NUM>.

Use of a single pocket to stow the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> reduces the number of manufacturing steps used to manufacture the garment <NUM>. As well, positioning the pocket <NUM> on an upper half of the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM> helps to maintain the aesthetic profile of, for example, the front aspect <NUM> and the back aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM>. That is, by stowing the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> as shown, the contour profiles of the front aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM> are unaltered, and the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> are not seen when viewing the back aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM>. As well, by positioning the pocket <NUM> as shown, arm movements of a wearer are generally unimpeded when the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> are stowed. An additional advantage of the pocket <NUM> is that the positioning of the first and second pocket openings <NUM> and <NUM> adjacent to the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> facilitates the easy storage of the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> as further explained below. Additional features of the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> will be discussed after describing the garment <NUM> when it is in the form of a jacket.

<FIG> and <FIG> depict the garment <NUM> in the form of a jacket <NUM> in accordance with aspects herein. The jacket <NUM> includes the torso portion <NUM> of the vest <NUM> but also comprises the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM>. Each of the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM> comprises a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>. As used herein, the term "proximal end" may include a terminal proximal edge of each of the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM> and may further include areas adjacent to the terminal proximal edge (within about <NUM> of the terminal proximal edge). The term "distal end" as used herein may include a terminal distal edge (i.e., a cuff edge) of the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> and may further include areas adjacent to the terminal distal edge (within about <NUM> of the terminal distal edge). The proximal end <NUM> of the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> comprises a forward-facing portion or an anterior portion <NUM> shown in <FIG> and a back-facing portion or posterior portion <NUM> shown in <FIG>. With respect to the anterior portion <NUM> of the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM>, the anterior portion <NUM> comprises a material extension <NUM> (shown in dashed lines to indicate it is generally positioned in the interior of the garment <NUM> and is thus hidden from view). This aspect is shown in greater detail in <FIG> which illustrates an isolated view of the first sleeve <NUM> including the anterior portion <NUM> with its material extension <NUM>. A discussion of <FIG> is equally applicable to the second sleeve <NUM>.

Continuing with respect to <FIG>, the material extension <NUM> represents a medially extending extension of the proximal end <NUM> of the first sleeve <NUM> on the anterior or forward-facing side of the first sleeve <NUM>. It may comprise an integrally knitted or woven extension of the respective knitted or woven textile used to form the first sleeve <NUM>, or it may comprise a separate panel piece affixed to the first sleeve <NUM> using known affixing technologies. In example aspects, the outer perimeter edge of the material extension <NUM> comprises a generally arcuate shape. A releasable fastener <NUM> is positioned on an outer-facing surface of the material extension <NUM>, where the releasable fastener <NUM> is complementary to the releasable fastener <NUM> located on the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM> adjacent to the first sleeve opening <NUM>. As such, in example aspects, the releasable fastener <NUM> may comprise a hook or loop component of a hook-and-loop fastener system that is complementary to the releasable fastener <NUM>, a button hole or a button that is complementary to the releasable fastener <NUM>, a female snap component or a male snap component that is complementary to the releasable fastener <NUM>, and the like. In example aspects, the number of releasable fasteners <NUM> on the material extension <NUM> may be the same as the number of releasable fasteners <NUM>. The mating of the releasable fastener <NUM> with the releasable fastener <NUM> releasably secures the proximal end of the first sleeve <NUM> to the torso portion <NUM> of the garment <NUM>.

With respect to the posterior portion <NUM> of the proximal end <NUM> of the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM>, it is contemplated herein that in one example aspect, the posterior portion <NUM> of the proximal end <NUM> is permanently affixed to the posterior edge <NUM> of the first sleeve opening <NUM> and the second sleeve opening <NUM> respectively using affixing technologies such as stitching, bonding, welding, and the like. This is illustrated in <FIG> which depicts a side view of an example convertible vest jacket <NUM> and specifically illustrates the second sleeve opening <NUM>. The description that follows is also applicable to the first sleeve opening <NUM>. The second sleeve opening <NUM> is formed from the anterior edge <NUM> and the posterior edge <NUM> of the second sleeve opening <NUM>. Also seen is the inner pocket opening edge <NUM> and the pocket space (now labelled by reference numeral <NUM>) formed between the material <NUM> and the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM>. The posterior portion <NUM> of the second sleeve <NUM> is shown affixed to the posterior edge <NUM> of the second sleeve opening <NUM> by, for instance, stitching.

In an alternative example aspect, it is contemplated herein that the posterior portion <NUM> of the proximal end <NUM> of the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> is permanently affixed to the inner pocket opening edge <NUM> of the pocket <NUM> as opposed to the posterior edge <NUM> of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM>. This is illustrated in <FIG> which depicts a side view of an example convertible vest/jacket <NUM> and specifically illustrates the second sleeve opening <NUM>. The description that follows is also applicable to the first sleeve opening <NUM>. As stated above, the second sleeve opening <NUM> is formed from the anterior edge <NUM> and the posterior edge <NUM> of the second sleeve opening <NUM>. Also shown in <FIG> is the inner pocket opening edge <NUM> and the pocket space <NUM>. The posterior portion <NUM> of the second sleeve <NUM> is shown as affixed to the inner pocket opening edge <NUM> of the pocket <NUM>. With respect to this aspect, it is contemplated herein that the posterior edge <NUM> of the second sleeve opening <NUM> may be releasably affixed (using, for instance, a hook-and-loop fastener system, snaps, buttons, and the like) to the inner pocket opening edge <NUM> to effectively prevent an open communication path between the pocket space <NUM> and the external environment. However, it is also contemplated herein that the posterior edge <NUM> of the second sleeve opening <NUM> may remain detached from or unaffixed from the inner pocket opening edge <NUM>. By providing a permanent attachment between the posterior portion <NUM> of the proximal end <NUM> of each of the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM> and either the posterior edge <NUM> of the first and second sleeve openings <NUM> and <NUM> or the inner pocket opening edge <NUM> of the pocket <NUM>, the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> may be prevented from inadvertently becoming lost when doffed.

<FIG> illustrate a non-claimed method of converting the garment <NUM> from a vest <NUM> to a jacket <NUM> in accordance with aspects herein. <FIG> illustrates a front view of a wearer <NUM> wearing the garment <NUM> when it is in the form of a vest <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrates a back view of the wearer <NUM> wearing the vest <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the aesthetic profile of the front aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM> is similar to a traditional vest. That is, because the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> are stowed in the pocket <NUM> positioned on the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM>, the stowed first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> do not affect the contour profiles of the front aspect <NUM> of the vest <NUM>. With respect to the back view of <FIG>, because the pocket <NUM> is positioned on an upper portion of the back aspect <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM>, the stowed first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> are situated in the space between the wearer's shoulder blades. Positioning the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> in this location generally prevents the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> from interfering with the wearer's movements. Moreover, because the pocket <NUM> is positioned on the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM>, the first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> are not visible when the garment <NUM> is viewed from the back.

<FIG> illustrates the vest <NUM> after it has been doffed by the wearer <NUM>. Once doffed, the first front aspect half <NUM> and the second front aspect half <NUM> may be pulled apart as shown to expose the pocket <NUM> positioned on the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the back aspect <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM>, where the pocket <NUM> contains the stowed first and second sleeves <NUM> and <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the wearer <NUM> reaching into the first pocket opening <NUM> and the second pocket opening <NUM> to retrieve, for instance, the distal end <NUM> of each of the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the wearer <NUM> withdrawing the distal end <NUM> of each of the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM> from the pocket <NUM> and pulling the distal ends <NUM> through the first sleeve opening <NUM> and the second sleeve opening <NUM> respectively.

With respect to <FIG>, the wearer <NUM> is shown securing the releasable fasteners <NUM> positioned on the material extension <NUM> of the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM> to the releasable fasteners <NUM> positioned on the inner-facing surface <NUM> of the torso portion <NUM> thus releasably securing the first sleeve <NUM> and the second sleeve <NUM> to the torso portion <NUM> to form the jacket <NUM>. Converting the jacket <NUM> to the vest <NUM> would involve a reverse order of steps.

<FIG> depicts a flow diagram of non-claimed method <NUM> of using the convertible vest and jacket system described herein in accordance with aspects herein. At a step <NUM>, a vest is provided, such as the vest <NUM>, where the vest comprises a torso portion having a front aspect and a back aspect, a first sleeve opening and a second sleeve opening. The vest also comprises a pocket located on an inner-facing surface of the back aspect of the torso portion, where the pocket includes a first pocket opening positioned adjacent and medial to the first sleeve opening and a second pocket opening positioned adjacent and medial to the second sleeve opening. Further, the vest comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve each having a proximal end and a distal end. A posterior portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve is permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent to a posterior edge of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening respectively (i.e., within about <NUM> to about <NUM> of the sleeve openings). And an anterior portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve is unaffixed from or detached from the anterior edge of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening respectively. Both the first sleeve and the second sleeve are stowed within the pocket.

Claim 1:
A convertible vest and jacket system comprising: a torso portion (<NUM>) having a front aspect (<NUM>) and a back aspect (<NUM>), the torso portion (<NUM>) defining a neck opening (<NUM>), a waist opening (<NUM>), a first sleeve opening (<NUM>), and a second sleeve opening (<NUM>), each of the first sleeve opening (<NUM>) and the second sleeve opening (<NUM>) comprising an anterior edge (<NUM>) and a posterior edge (<NUM>), each of the first sleeve opening (<NUM>) and the second sleeve opening (<NUM>) comprising a releasable fastener (<NUM>) located adjacent to the anterior edge (<NUM>) of the each of the first sleeve opening (<NUM>) and the second sleeve opening (<NUM>); a pocket (<NUM>) located on an inner-facing surface (<NUM>) of the back aspect (<NUM>) of the torso portion (<NUM>); a first sleeve (<NUM>) having a proximal end (<NUM>) and a distal end (<NUM>), a posterior portion (<NUM>) of the proximal end (<NUM>) of the first sleeve (<NUM>) permanently affixed to the torso portion (<NUM>) adjacent to the posterior edge (<NUM>) of the first sleeve opening (<NUM>), an anterior portion (<NUM>) of the proximal end (<NUM>) of the first sleeve (<NUM>) comprising a releasable fastener (<NUM>) complementary to the releasable fastener (<NUM>) located adjacent the anterior edge (<NUM>) of the first sleeve opening (<NUM>); and a second sleeve (<NUM>) having a proximal end (<NUM>) and a distal end (<NUM>), a posterior portion (<NUM>) of the proximal end (<NUM>) of the second sleeve (<NUM>) permanently affixed to the torso portion (<NUM>) adjacent to the posterior edge (<NUM>) of the second sleeve opening (<NUM>), an anterior portion (<NUM>) of the proximal end (<NUM>) of the second sleeve (<NUM>) comprising a releasable fastener (<NUM>) complementary to the releasable fastener (<NUM>) located adjacent the anterior edge (<NUM>) of the second sleeve opening (<NUM>).;
characterized in that
the pocket (<NUM>) comprises a first pocket opening (<NUM>) located at a first lateral side of the pocket (<NUM>), and wherein the pocket (<NUM>) comprises a second pocket opening (<NUM>) located at a second lateral side of the pocket (<NUM>)