SYSTEM USABLE IN TWO DIFFERENT MODES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system useable in two modes, having the form of an upper body garment and comprising a central body (1; 19) suitable for covering the torso of a wearer, said central body (1; 19) being provided with an opening (2; 20) for the waist of the wearer that is reducible by way of a slidable string (11; 26), an opening (3; 21) for the neck of the wearer and a frontal opening (4; 22) extending between said opening (3; 21) for the neck and said opening (2; 20) for the waist, as well as with two sleeves (5; 23). The central body (1; 19) also comprises fastening means (7; 25) allowing substantial closure of said frontal opening (4; 22) and of said opening (3; 21) for the neck. The central body (1; 19) is further provided with a compartment (16; 34) containing a protective sheet (17; 35) suitable, in a system mode, to be extracted from said compartment (16; 34) and fixed in an extended disposition to an external side of said central body (1; 19).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system usable in two modes, having the form of an article of clothing for an upper body portion, and in particular to a jacket, a parka and similar garments transformable into a bag or a back pack.

[0002] Garments having a dual function, e.g. jackets transformable into bags, are already known and have been conceived in order to minimize the size of a garment when it is not worn. However, in these cases the resulting bag is not suitable to carry objects, because it is occupied by the garment.

[0003] Jackets convertible into bags or back packs suitable to carry objects are also known.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,959,789 discloses for example a transformable jacket comprising an opening for the neck of a wearer, an opening for the waist of the wearer and two sleeves, provided with a closure extending substantially also around the neck opening. In order to transform the jacket into a bag, the sleeves are turned inside out into the jacket and the closure completely closes the neck opening, while the waist opening is closed by way of a slidable string operable around it.

[0005] The international publication WO 2008/135782 discloses a jacket transformable into a bag, back pack and the like, and a method for performing the transformation, wherein the neck opening of the jacket is closed by operating first closure means that extend from a common point below the neck on the back of the garment, over the shoulders on either side of the neck opening down the front of the garment.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system transformable from a jacket, parka and the like into a bag and vice versa of an improved type. Said object is achieved with a system usable in two modes, having the form of a garment for an upper portion of the body of a wearer, whose main features are disclosed in the first claim, while other features are disclosed in the remaining claims.

[0007] A first advantage of the system according to the invention is that thanks to the presence of a protective sheet that may be withdrawn from a suitable compartment when the system is used in the bag mode, it is possible to provide the bag with a bottom part that prevents soiling thereof when it is placed e.g. on the ground. This allows to keep the system clean especially in view of its use as a jacket, parka and the like.

[0008] Another advantage of the system according to the invention is that thanks to the presence of a turnover flap suitable to be arranged on the waist opening of the jacket or parka, it is possible to improve the closure of the waist opening, thereby avoiding accidental escape of small objects that may be present in the bag when the system is used in the bag mode.

[0009] A further advantage of the system according to the present invention is that thanks to two internal pockets suitable to accommodate the two sleeves of the jacket or parka when the system is used in the bag mode, it is possible to avoid that the passages within the sleeves form an escape path for one or more of the objects contained in the bag. Moreover, the internal pockets prevent the sleeves from moving inside the system when used in the bag mode, thus avoiding interferences with a correct arrangement of the objects present in the bag.

[0010] Further advantages and features of system the according to the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art from the following detailed and non-limiting description of embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a view of a system according to a first embodiment of the invention in a parka mode;

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a further view of a system according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 shows a further view of a system according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 4 shows a view of the system of FIG. 1 in a first step of the transformation into the bag mode;

[0015] FIG. 5 shows a view of the system of FIG. 1 in a second step of the transformation into the bag mode;

[0016] FIG. 6 shows a view of the system of FIG. 1 in a third step of the transformation into the bag mode;

[0017] FIG. 7 shows a transparent view of the system of FIG. 1 in a fourth step of the transformation into the bag mode;

[0018] FIG. 8 shows a view of the system during the same step of FIG. 7;

[0019] FIG. 9 shows a view of the system of FIG. 1 in a bag mode;

[0020] FIG. 10 shows a view of a system according to a second embodiment of the invention in a jacket mode;

[0021] FIG. 11, shows a further view of a system according to the embodiment of FIG. 10;

[0022] FIG. 12, shows a further view of a system according to the embodiment of FIG. 10;

[0023] FIG. 13 shows a view of the system of FIG. 10 in a first step of the transformation into the bag mode;

[0024] FIG. 14 shows a view of the system of FIG. 10 in a further step of the transformation into the bag mode;

[0025] FIG. 15 shows a view of the system of FIG. 10 in still a further step of the transformation into the bag mode:

[0026] FIG. 16 shows a view of the system of FIG. 10 in a bag mode;

[0027] FIG. 17 shows a view of a system according to a third embodiment of the invention in a down jacket mode.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it may be seen that the system according to the present invention has the form of a garment for an upper body portion. In particular, in a first embodiment of the invention the system has the form of a parka.

[0029] The system according to the invention comprises a central body 1 suitable to cover the torso of a wearer and two sleeves 5. The central body 1 is provided with an opening 2 for the waist of the wearer, an opening 3 for the neck of the wearer and a frontal opening 4 extending between said neck opening 3 and said waist opening 2.

[0030] The system according to the invention may also advantageously comprise a hood 6, which may be connected to the central body 1 in a removable or a fixed way.

[0031] The central body 1 is also provided with fastening means 7 allowing substantially a complete closure of the frontal opening 4 and of the neck opening 3.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows the system according to the present invention closed by way of said fastening means 7 so as to show an external side thereof. In the present disclosure and in the claims, the wording "external side" of the system according to the present invention means the side that is not in contact with the torso of the wearer, whereas the wording "internal side" means the side that is in contact or faces the torso of the wearer.

[0033] The fastening means 7 are preferably comprised of a zip having a bidirectional slider. Other suitable fastening means may be comprised of e.g. buttons, hooks or hook and loop strips.

[0034] When a hood 6 is provided, this may be closed by the fasting means 7 as well, which thus extend between the waist opening 2 and the farthermost end of the hood 6 with respect to the central body 1.

[0035] The waist opening 2 is reducible by way of a slidable string 11 inserted in a suitable seat proximate to the waist opening 2.

[0036] The system may also comprise a belt 8 that may be used as a strap when the system is used in the bag mode, and one or more pockets 9.

[0037] Moreover, the central body 1 advantageously comprises two further pockets 10 that are preferably closable and are arranged on the two sides of the fastening means 7. Inside the pockets extractable grips 15 are arranged, that may be seen in FIG. 6 and allow to hand carry the system when it is used in the bag mode.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows the central body 1 in an open condition so as to show its internal side. As shown in this FIG., an internal detachable padding 12 may advantageously be arranged on the internal side of the central body 1. The padding 12 may be fixed to the central body 1 by any known means, e.g. by way of buttons, pressure buttons, zip fasteners or hook and loop strips.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows the system according to the invention, wherein the padding 12 has been removed.

[0040] The transformation of the system from the jacket or parka mode to the bag mode requires to turn the sleeves 5 inside out into the jacket or parka. As shown in FIG. 4, the central body 1 is also preferably provided with two internal pockets 14 suitable to receive the sleeves 5 turned inside out in one of the system modes. In this way, when the system is used in the bag mode it is possible to prevent one or more objects contained inside the bag from accidentally entering in either of the sleeves and come out from the bag therethrough. Moreover, the internal pockets 14 also have the purpose to prevent the sleeves 5 to move inside the system when used in the bag mode, thus hindering the arrangement of the objects.

[0041] At this stage the fastening means 7 are completely closed.

[0042] Still with reference to FIG. 4, it may be seen that a turnover flap 13 is connected to the central body 1. The turnover flap 13 is suitable to rest on the waist opening 2 thus closing it completely in order to allow the transformation of the system from the jacket or parka mode to the bag mode.

[0043] The central body 1 advantageously comprises connecting means suitable to block the turnover flap 13 in at least two positions, wherein in a first position the turnover flap 13 is arranged substantially parallel to a portion of the central body 1 and in a second position the turnover flap 13 closes the waist opening 2. Examples of suitable connecting means are e.g. buttons, pressure buttons, zip fasteners or hook and loop strips.

[0044] In the first position, when the system is used in the jacket or parka mode, the turnover flap 13 is therefore blocked against the central body 1, e.g. it may be arranged parallel to the portion of the central body 1 intended to cover the back of the wearer. The turnover flap 13 may be fixed in the first position by way of buttons or by way of a seam and two or more buttons or other connecting means.

[0045] As shown in the transparent view of FIG. 5, in order to carry out the transformation into the bag mode, once closed the fastening means 7 the turnover flap 13 is rotated around one of its edges, e.g. a sewn edge, so as to arrange it substantially parallel to the waist opening 2 by resting it thereon. The buttons or other connecting means are then engaged in the second position so as to hold the turnover flap 13 in this position parallel to the waist opening 2.

[0046] The slidable string 11 is then made to slide within its seat so as to reduce the waist opening 2, where the turnover flap 13 rests as shown in FIG. 6. The turnover flap 13 thus completes the closure of the waist opening 2.

[0047] The grips 15 are then extracted from the pockets 10 arranged on the two sides of the fastening means 7 in order to allow to transport the system in the bag mode by hand.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows in a transparent view the position of the turnover flap 13 in the system transformed in the bag mode.

[0049] FIG. 8 shows that the hood 6 is then folded back onto the portion of the central body 1 opposite to the fastening means 7, i.e. the portion that will serve as the bag bottom. The hood 6 may be conveniently fitted in a suitable compartment 16, shown in FIG. 2, formed within the central body 1 opposite to the fastening means 7 and preferably proximate to the neck opening 2.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the compartment 16 contains a protective sheet 17 that is withdrawn therefrom when the system is used in the bag mode and fixed in an extended disposition to an external side of the central body 1, thus defining a bottom part of the bag suitable to protect it against soiling, in particular in view of its transformation back into the jacket or parka mode. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the protective sheet 17 is arranged so as to cover the whole portion of the bag opposite to the fastening means 7, thus allowing to easily open and access the bag when this is e.g. on the ground.

[0051] FIG. 9 also shows that the belt 8 is preferably provided with closure hooks 8a that can be engaged with each other but also with suitable clasps 18 of the system provided on the central body 1. The fixing of the protective sheet 17 and of the belt 8 are thus the final steps of the very easy transformation of the system from the jacket or parka mode to the bag mode.

[0052] FIGS. 10 to 12 show different views of a second embodiment of the system according to the present invention, that is transformable from a jacket into a bag.

[0053] Also in this case the system comprises a central body 19 suitable to cover the torso of a wearer and provided with an opening 20 for the waist of a wearer, an opening 21 for the neck of the wearer and a frontal opening 22 extending between the neck opening 21 and the waist opening 20, as well as two sleeves 23.

[0054] The central body 19 is provided with a hood 24 and with fastening means 25 substantially allowing to close the frontal opening 22 and the neck opening 21, while the waist opening 20 is reducible by means of a slidable string 26.

[0055] Also this embodiment advantageously comprises a belt 27 provided with hooks 27a that can be engaged with each other, but also to suitable clasps 28 fixed to the central body 19, as well as pockets 29 arranged on the two sides of the fastening means 25 and suitable to contain extractable grips 30 allowing to transport the system in the bag mode, and a detachable padding 31.

[0056] FIG. 13 shows that also in this embodiment a turnover flap 32 is arranged on the portion of the central body 19 that covers the back of the user and is suitable to rest on the waist opening 20 when the system is used in the bag mode, thus substantially closing this opening.

[0057] The central body 19 is provided also in this case with two internal pockets 33 adapted to receive the two sleeves 23 turned inside out into the central body 19, and the hood 24 that is also closable by the fastening means 25.

[0058] FIGS. 14 to 16 show the various transformation steps of the system into a bag, that are wholly similar to those shown with reference to the first embodiment of the invention. Also in this case in fact the fastening means 25 are closed up to the farthermost end of the hood 24 with respect to the central body 19, then the turnover flap 32 is arranged and fixed onto the waist opening 20, which is then reduced by means of the slidable string 26.

[0059] Subsequently, a protective sheet 35 is extracted from a compartment 34 arranged proximate to the neck opening 21 and shown in FIG. 11. The protective sheet 35 is fixed in an extended disposition to an external side of the central body 19 opposite to the fastening means 25. The hood 24 is then inserted into the compartment 34 and the belt 27 is withdrawn from its loops and engaged with the clasps 28 of the central body 19.

[0060] Finally, FIG. 17 shows a third embodiment of the invention that is transformable from a down jacket into a bag. This embodiment comprises all the essential features of the previous embodiments and differs therefrom in the aesthetic aspect only.

[0061] Possible modifications and/or additions may be made by those skilled in the art to the hereinabove disclosed and illustrated embodiment while remaining within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A system useable in two different modes, having the form of an upper body garment comprising: a central body suitable for covering the torso of a wearer, provided with an opening for the waist of the wearer, an opening for the neck of the wearer and a frontal opening extending between said opening for the neck and said opening for the waist; and two sleeves; said central body being provided with fastening means allowing substantial closure of said frontal opening and of said opening for the neck, said opening for the waist being reducible by means of a slidable string, characterized in that the central body is provided with a compartment containing a protective sheet suitable, in a system mode, to be extracted from said compartment and fixed in an extended disposition to an external side of said central body.

2. A system according to claim 1, comprising a hood, also closable by means of said fastening means.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said compartment is positioned in proximity of said opening for die neck and is suitable, in a system mode, to contain said hood.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein it further comprises a turnover flap that is fixed to the central body, said turnover flap being suitable, in a system mode, to rest on said opening for the waist, substantially closing it.

5. A system according to claim 4, comprising connecting means suitable to block said turnover flap in at least two positions, wherein in a first position said turnover flap is positioned substantially parallel to a portion of the central body and in a second position said turnover flap closes said opening for the waist.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said central body is provided with two internal pockets suitable, in a system mode, to receive said two sleeves turned inside out into the central body.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprise a bidirectional zip slider.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said central body is provided with two pockets containing extractable grips.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said central body comprises a belt provided with closing hooks which may be engaged with each other and with suitable clasps fixed to said central body.