Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to garments and more particularly to cold and inclement weather over garments that are noiseless and have apertures. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hunting is often done in cold weather. Likewise, sports fans sit outside in cold and inclement weather to cheer for football and hockey games. Hunters and spectators, alike, share a need to stay warm in frigid or inclement conditions, while sitting outside for hours at a time. 
         [0003]    Previous garments, such as jackets or ponchos provide warmth, but can be cumbersome. Most jackets have sleeves that fit snugly around a person&#39;s arms. However, with sleeves, the arms are not able to be close to the person&#39;s core. The closer a person&#39;s appendages can be to his body, the easier it is to stay warm. In order to take advantage of this phenomenon, people have used blankets and sleeping bags draped over themselves to keep warm at sporting events or while hunting in a tree stand. 
         [0004]    Ponchos are traditionally light-weight and not insulated. Additionally, there is minimal storage either on the exterior or interior surfaces of the ponchos. Moreover, when a person lifts his arms up when wearing a poncho, the entire poncho moves. This frequently causes cold air to get in under the Poncho and, in the case of a hunter, can obstruct his view. 
         [0005]    When hunters are sitting, waiting for the right shot, it is very important to remain as quiet as possible. Any sound at all can startle the animal, causing the hunter to lose his chance. Therefore, it is helpful if the garment a hunter is wearing does not unduly create noise. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is generally directed to an over garment with large openings, rather than sleeves, and interior pockets that a user can employ to keep warm. Because of their location and construction, the use of these interior pockets can minimize noise that would otherwise be created with traditional outerwear. Typically, the over garment is insulated and is used to keep the wearer warm in hostile weather environments. Such a garment may be used by hunters, but may also be used, for example by spectators at sporting events. 
         [0007]    The present invention comprises at least one front panel and a back panel, joined along their top edges, to allow the garment to drape over a wearer&#39;s shoulders. A hole to permit a wearer head to pass through is preferably located in the middle of joint. In some embodiments of the present invention, the internal surfaces of the front and back panels may be made of a comforting or insulating material, such as fleece, cotton or wool. 
         [0008]    In an additional aspect of at least some embodiments of the current invention, the exterior surfaces of the front and back panels are made of a weather-resistant and water-resistant material, such as Gortex®. The material used may be constructed using different levels of insulation, allowing some embodiments to be lighter or heavier, depending on the needs of the user. 
         [0009]    In one aspect of at least one embodiment of the current invention, two front panels are connected by a fastener, such as a zipper, coupling snapping members, buttons, Velcro®, or the like. This embodiment allows a user to don and doff the garment without having to slip it over his or her head. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the current invention, a hood extending from the top of the back panel and adjacent to the head opening is provided to permit a user to cover his or her head for warmth. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the current invention, a pair of pockets, are affixed to the exterior surface of the at least one front panel. The external pockets are large enough either to store ammunition, or to permit ingress by a hand covered with a mitten. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect of the current invention, a pair of apertures, or openings, between the side edges of the at least one front panel and the back panel, instead of traditional sleeves, allow a user&#39; to extend his arms relatively noiselessly. The larger opening allows a person to quietly extend his arms through the opening, or retract his arms into the warmth of the garment. 
         [0013]    An additional aspect of one embodiment of the current invention is that the apertures are designed such that when a user lifts his arms, for example, to position a gun for hunting and shooting, the garment does not move. The fact that it remains stationary allows minimal noise and movement that could spook the game animal. 
         [0014]    In still another aspect of the current invention, a pair of internal pockets, are affixed to each interior surface of the at least one front panel. Inside the garment are large pockets that a user can put his hands into. The pockets are large enough to encompass mittened hands. This way, a hunter can be cocooned in the garment, with his hands inside the pockets. Should a deer or other game animal come within shooting range, the user can quietly slip his arms through the openings to reach a gun and get a good shot. 
         [0015]    In a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the current invention the angle of the interior pockets to allow a user to comfortably use the pockets while wearing the garment, when the user&#39;s arms are inside the cavity of the garment, rather than through the apertures or openings. 
         [0016]    In specific embodiments, the garment is pre-assembled, self-contained and easily donned by the wearer, in particular, by hunters over their normal hunting gear (e.g., jackets, pants, bibs, etc.). In other embodiments, the garment may be camouflage, blaze orange, or reflect a sports team logo. 
         [0017]    In a still further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention, at least a pair of vest flaps extend downwardly from the top shoulder area of the garment, over the back and front panels. The vest flaps may connect to the shoulder area of the over garment by using snapping members, buttons, zippers, Velcro, or the like. These vest flaps may be blaze orange, or other high visibility color, to comply with hunting regulations. Likewise, the vest flaps may be padded to lessen the impact of the hunting gun&#39;s recoil. 
         [0018]    In at least one embodiment of the present invention a pouch is selectively engageable with the back panel, to facilitate storage of the garment. The garment may be stuffed into the pouch by folding the garment in on itself and into the pouch. Preferably a strap is secured to the pouch, to aid in carrying the garment. 
         [0019]    These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a garment when a user is standing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a garment, illustrating the internal surfaces and interior pockets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a frontal perspective view of a garment when the user is sitting in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a plan front view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a plan back view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, references will be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. Specific language will also be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0028]    One embodiment of an over garment is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and indicated generally by numeral  10 . The over garment  10  comprises at least one front panel  2  having an interior surface  4  and an exterior surface  6 , a top  7 , a bottom  9  and a pair of side edges  11 . A back panel  8  also has an interior surface  4  and an exterior surface  8 , a top  13 , a bottom  15  and a pair of side edges  17 , wherein the back panel  8  is joined along its top  13  to the top  7  of the at least one front panel  2 . A head opening  24  is defined by a portion of the top of said joined front  2  and back panels  8 , to allow a head to go through such that the garment  10  drapes over a user&#39;s shoulders. A hood member  12  extends from the top of the back panel  8  and adjacent to said head opening  24 , to cover a user&#39;s head for warmth. 
         [0029]    The length of the garment is such that when the wearer stoops, sits, or kneels, the garment reaches the ground. This allows a person&#39;s body heat to stay within the garment interior and not escape through the ground. More particularly, when a wearer is standing, the length of the front and back panels extends from the shoulder height to below the knees of the wearer. In at least one embodiment, the front panels and the back panels are four feet in length. 
         [0030]    There is a pair of external pockets  14 , affixed to the exterior surface  6  of the at least one front panel  2 . There is a pair of internal pockets  16 , affixed to each interior surface  4  of the at least one front panel  2 . A pair of apertures  20  extend between the side edges of the at least one front panel  2  and the back panel  8 , to allow a user&#39;s arms to extend noiselessly out from the interior of the garment  10 . 
         [0031]    In at least some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 , and  5 , the two front panels  2  are connected with a fastening device  18 . The fastening device may be coupling snapping members, a zipper, Velcro® or the like. 
         [0032]    In at least one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the garment may further include a pouch member  28  into which the back panel  8 , the front panels  2 , and hood  12  may be folded for storage. A strap  30  is preferably affixed to the pouch and is used to carry the garment  10  when it is stored in the pouch  28 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , in at least one embodiment of the current invention a hood  12  extends from the top of the back panel  8 , adjacent to the head opening  24 , to cover a user&#39;s head for warmth. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , preferably a pair of vest flaps  22  extend downwardly from the top shoulder area of the garment  10 , over the back  8  and front panels  2  and  2 . The vest flaps  22  may connect to the shoulder area of the over garment  10  by using snapping members, buttons, zippers, Velcro, or the like. Likewise, the vest flaps  22  may also be padded (not shown) to lessen the impact of the hunting gun&#39;s recoil. 
         [0035]    In use, a user opens the garment  10  from the bottom by separating the front and back panels  2  and  8 . The user then pulls the garment  10  over his head so that his head passes through head opening  24 . If a hood  12  is affixed to the garment  10 , the user can choose to employ the hood on his head. If he so desires, the user can then put his arms through the apertures  20 , or simply keep his arms inside the garment  10 . 
         [0036]    If the garment  10  has a closure  18 , a user first pulls the garment  10  around himself and then puts his arms through the apertures  20 . He then closes the closure device  18 . At that point, the user has the option of pulling his arms inside the garment  10  for warmth or to access any internal pockets  16  that may be on the inside of the garment  10 . 
         [0037]    After use, if a pouch  28  is affixed to the garment  10 , the garment  10  may be folded into the pouch  10  and then carried by a strap  30 . 
         [0038]    When the user extends his hands out the apertures  20  the garment is quiet and still. The noiselessness of the garment allows a user, such as a hunter, to extend his or her arms out of the apertures  20 ,  20 , and take aim at a game animal without startling it. Likewise, when a user lifts his or her arms while wearing the garment, particularly to point and shoot a gun, the garment remains on the shoulders so that the user has a clear view. The garment does not rise or move significantly. 
         [0039]    Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Technology Category: 1