OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN GARMENT

Abstract

A garment includes a body portion having a front surface, a first arm aperture defined by the front surface and a second arm aperture defined by the front surface. The first arm aperture and the second arm aperture are selectively closable by a wearer to warm in cold-weather hunting conditions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/614,547 entitled "Outdoor Sportsman Garment" filed Jan. 8, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor sportsman garment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an outdoor sportsman garment for cold-weather hunting. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an outdoor sportsman garment for cold-weather hunting including closable arm apertures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Generally, cold-weather hunting exposes hunters to extremely cold temperatures. If the hunter is not adequately prepared for the cold-weather conditions, the hunter may experience a thermal injury, such as frostbite. As such, hunters typically wear garments designed to keep the hunter adequately warm. However, the garments available to hunters are typically bulky, heavy, or otherwise restrictive, which hinders a hunter's ability to hunt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A need continues to exist for outdoor sportsmen garments. The outdoor sportsman garment of the present disclosure addresses the shortcomings of previously known outdoor sportsmen garments.

[0005] Advantageously, the present disclosure provides an outdoor sportsman garment having an upper body portion that is wider than the lower body portion. That is, most outdoor sportsmen garments either provide arm sleeves attached to the upper body portion, wherein the upper body portion and the lower body portion have essentially the same width, or provide no place for the arms within the upper body portion such that the upper body portion and the lower body portion are essentially the same width. In the present invention the construction of the garment is such that the upper body portion is wider than the lower body portion to provide additional room within the cavity of the garment for one to comfortably maintain one's arms within the upper body portion of the garment.

[0006] Also advantageously, a first arm aperture defined by a front surface of the upper body portion is provided wherein the first arm aperture begins at the top of a first shoulder region of the garment and extends vertically downward at a first angle .alpha.1 towards a lower portion of the upper body portion, and a second arm aperture defined by the front surface of the upper body portion wherein the second arm aperture begins at the top of a second shoulder region of the garment and extends vertically downward at a second angle .alpha.2 towards a lower portion of the upper body portion. Both the fact that the arm aperture begin at the top of the first shoulder region and the fact that the first and second apertures extend at greater than 90 degree angles allow for the user to extend his arms through the first and second arm aperture without causing the upper body portion to raise against the neck of the user when his arms are extended out of the garment, and to allow the chest portion of the upper body portion to lay flat against the user's chest without bunching, when the user's arms are extended. Thus, the garment remains comfortable whether the user's arms are in or out of the garment.

[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a garment comprising: a body portion having a front surface; a first arm aperture defined by the front surface and a second arm aperture defined by the front surface, and wherein the first arm aperture and the second arm aperture are selectively closeable.

[0008] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment, as above, wherein the first arm aperture is selectively closable via a first selective opening and closing mechanism and the second arm aperture is closeable via a second selective opening and closing mechanism.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a garment, as above, wherein the body portion further includes a rear surface in a position parallel with said front surface.

[0010] In yet a further embodiment, the present invention provides a garment, as in one or more embodiments above, wherein the body portion includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion defining an interior cavity and wherein the first and second arm apertures are located on the upper body portion.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment, as in one or more embodiments above, wherein the upper body portion is defined by an upper first section and an upper second section and wherein the first arm aperture is located in the upper first section and the second arm aperture is located in the upper second section.

[0012] In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment, as in one or more embodiments above, wherein the upper first section includes a first boundary edge and the upper second section includes a second boundary edge and wherein the first boundary edge and the second boundary edge define a transverse direction between the front surface and the rear surface.

[0013] In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment, as in any one or more embodiments above, further including a head aperture located in the middle of the upper body portion between the first boundary edge and the second boundary edge.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment as in the embodiment directly above, further including a hood attached to the body portion adjacent the head aperture.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a garment as in any one or more embodiments above, wherein the first arm aperture begins at the first boundary edge adjacent the head aperture and extends vertically downward at a first angle .alpha.1 and the second arm aperture begins at the second boundary edge adjacent the head aperture and extends vertically downward at a second angle .alpha.2.

[0016] In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment as in any one or more embodiments above, wherein al is between about 91 degrees and about 110 degrees and wherein .alpha.2 is between about 91 degrees and about 110 degrees.

[0017] In at least another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment as in any one or more embodiments above, wherein the lower body portion further includes a first leg portion having a first boundary edge and a second leg portion having a second boundary edge and wherein the first boundary edge and the second boundary edge define the transverse direction between the front surface and the rear surface.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment as in any one or more embodiments above, wherein a widest distance between the first boundary edge of the upper first section and the second boundary edge of the upper second section is wider than a widest distance between the first boundary edge of the first leg portion and the second boundary edge of the second leg portion.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a garment as in any one or more embodiments above, further including a first foot portion secured to the first leg portion and a second foot portion secured to the second leg portion wherein the first foot portion is selectively detachable from the first leg portion and the second leg portion is selectively detachable from the second leg portion.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a garment as in any one or more embodiments above, wherein the upper body portion and optionally the lower body portion define a slit that allows access to the interior cavity and wherein the slit is selectively closable via a third selective opening and closing mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a garment in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of the garment;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the garment;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the garment including a wearer with the wearer's arms extending through a first arm slot and a second arm slot;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a left side elevation view of the garment including the wearer with the wearer's arms extending through the first arm slot and the second arm slot;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the garment including the wearer with the wearer's arms extending through the first arm slot and the second arm slot;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a front elevation showing the operation of the garment by the wearer; and

[0029] FIG. 8 is a top plan view showing the operation of the garment by the wearer.

[0030] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown an outdoor sportsmen garment in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, with the outdoor sportsmen garment generally indicated at 10. The garment 10 may be utilized, inter alia, for cold-weather hunting. As such, the garment 10 may be made out of any suitable materials and/or colors suitable for cold-weather hunting.

[0032] The garment 10 may include a top end 12 and a bottom end 14 defining a vertical direction therebetween, a first side 16 and a second side 18 defining a longitudinal direction therebetween such that first side 16 and second side 18 are generally parallel with one another, and a front surface 20 and a rear surface 22 (FIG. 2) defining a transverse direction therebetween such that front surface 20 and rear surface 22 are generally parallel with one another. The garment 10 may further include a central vertical axis X1 extending intermediate the first side 16 and the second side 18 and a central longitudinal axis X2 extending intermediate the top end 12 and the bottom end 14.

[0033] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the garment 10 may further include an upper body portion 24 and a lower body portion 26. The upper body portion 24 and the lower body portion 26 may define an interior cavity 28 adapted to receive a wearer's 30 body including arms 32, shoulders 34 and legs (not shown) of the wearer 30. In one embodiment, the interior cavity 28 may be made with a thermal and/or fleece lining.

[0034] The upper body portion 24 may define a head aperture 36 adapted to receive a head 38 and a neck 40 of the wearer 30. In one embodiment, a hood 42 may be attached to the upper body portion 24 adjacent the head aperture 36 adapted to cover the wearer's head 38.

[0035] The upper body portion 24 may include an upper first section 44 and an upper second section 46. The upper first section 44 may include a first boundary edge 48 having a first edge portion 48a and a second edge portion 48b. The first edge portion 48a may extend from the hood 42 away from the central vertical axis X1 and generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis X2 to the second edge portion 48b. The second edge portion 48b may extend from the first edge portion 48a generally vertically downward in a generally arcuate manner towards the lower body portion 26. In one embodiment, the first edge portion 48a and the second edge portion 48b of the first boundary edge 48 may be adapted to conveniently accommodate at least the wearer's arm 32 and shoulder 34.

[0036] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the upper first section 44 on the front surface 20 of the garment 10 may define a first arm aperture 50. The first arm aperture 50 may extend vertically downward from the first edge portion 48a of the first boundary edge 48 at a position adjacent the head aperture 36 at a first angle .alpha.1 towards a lower portion of the upper body portion 24. In one embodiment, the first arm aperture 50 may extend vertically downward in a generally straight manner, and, in another embodiment, the first arm aperture 50 may extend vertically downward in a slight arcuate manner. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and in one embodiment, the first arm aperture 50 may extend in an arcuate manner when the wearer 30 wears the garment 10.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first angle .alpha.1 may be 97 degrees. In another embodiment, the first angle .alpha.1 may be between approximately 95 degrees and approximately 100 degrees. In another embodiment, the first angle .alpha.1 may be greater than 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the first angle .alpha.1 may between approximately 91 degrees and approximately 110 degrees; however, the first angle .alpha.1 may be any suitable angle. Further, the first arm aperture 50 may be closable via a first selective opening and closing mechanism 52 such as a zipper 52a and a zipper pull 52b; however, it is envisioned that any suitable selective opening and closing mechanism may be utilized, such as a hook and loop fastener, magnets, MaxiGrip.RTM. quiet waterproof plastic zippers, or the like.

[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the upper second section 46 may include a second boundary edge 54 having a first edge portion 54a and a second edge portion 54b. The first edge portion 54a may extend from the hood 42 away from the central vertical axis X1 and generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis X2 to the second edge portion 54b. The second edge portion 54b may extend from the first edge portion 54a generally vertically downward in a generally arcuate manner towards the lower body portion 26. In one embodiment, the first edge portion 54a and the second edge portion 54b of the second boundary edge 54 may be adapted to conveniently accommodate at least the wearer's arm 32 and shoulder 34.

[0039] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the upper second section 44 on the front surface 20 of the garment 10 may define a second arm aperture 56. The second arm aperture 56 may extend vertically downward from the first edge portion 54a of the second boundary edge 54 at a position adjacent head aperture 36 at a second angle .alpha.2 towards a lower portion of the upper body portion 24. In one embodiment, the second arm aperture 56 may extend vertically downward in a generally straight manner, and, in another embodiment, the second arm aperture 56 may extend vertically downward in a slight arcuate manner. Further, in one embodiment, and although not shown, the second arm aperture 56 may extend in an arcuate manner when the wearer 30, similar to the first arm aperture 50 shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, wears the garment 10 and as described above.

[0040] In one embodiment, the second angle .alpha.2 may be 97 degrees. In another embodiment, the second angle .alpha.2 may be between approximately 95 degrees and approximately 100 degrees. In another embodiment, the second angle .alpha.2 may be greater than 90 degrees. In another embodiment, the second angle .alpha.2 may between approximately 91 degrees and approximately 110 degrees; however, the second angle .alpha.2 may be any suitable angle. Further, the second arm aperture 56 may be closable via a second selective opening and closing mechanism 58 such as a zipper 58a and a zipper pull 58b; however, it is envisioned that any suitable selective opening and closing mechanism may be utilized, such as a hook and loop fastener, magnets, MaxiGrip.RTM. quiet waterproof plastic zippers or the like.

[0041] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the upper body portion 24 of the front surface 20 and the lower body portion 26 of the front surface 20 may define a slit 60 adapted to open and close to allow the wearer 30 to be received within the interior cavity 28 and exit from the interior cavity 28. The slit 60 may extend from a top portion of the upper body portion 24 vertically downward along the central vertical axis X1 into a portion of the lower body portion 26. The slit 60 may be closable via a third selective opening and closing mechanism 62 such as a zipper 62a and a zipper pull 62b; however, it is envisioned that any suitable selective opening and closing mechanism may be utilized, such as a hook and loop fastener, magnets, MaxiGrip.RTM. quiet waterproof plastic zippers or the like.

[0042] Although the slit 60 has been described as extending along the central vertical axis X1, it is envisioned that the slit 60 may extend along the upper body portion 24 and the lower body portion 26 in any suitable manner. Further, although the slit 60 has been described as extending from the upper body portion 24 into a portion of the lower body portion 26, it is envisioned that the slit 60 may extend only in the upper body portion 24 and not within any portion of the lower body portion 26.

[0043] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the lower body portion 26 may include a first leg portion section 64 and a second leg portion 66 adapted to receive the legs of the wearer 30. The first leg portion 64 may further include a first boundary edge 64a. In one embodiment, the first boundary edge 64a may be connected with the second edge portion 48b of the first boundary edge 48 of the first section 44. The first edge 64a of the first leg portion 64 may define a first imaginary vertical plane P1 parallel with the central vertical axis X1 with one side of the first plane P1 facing the central vertical axis X1 and one side of the first plane P1 facing away from the central longitudinal axis X1. In one embodiment, the second edge portion 48b of the first boundary edge 48 is almost entirely on the side of the first plane P1 facing away from the central longitudinal axis X1. In other words, there is a portion of the upper first section 16 that lies outside the first plane P1. This is beneficial as the curvature of the second edge portion 48b provides suitable room to accommodate the arm 32 and the shoulder 34 of the wearer 30.

[0044] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the second leg portion 66 may further include a second boundary edge 66a. In one embodiment, the second boundary edge 66a may be connected with the second edge portion 54b of the second boundary edge 54 of the second section 46. The second boundary edge 66a of the second leg portion 66 may define a second imaginary vertical plane P2 parallel with the central vertical axis X1 with one side of the second plane P2 facing the central vertical axis X1 and one side of the second plane P2 facing away from the central longitudinal axis X1. In one embodiment, the second edge portion 54b of the second boundary edge 54 is almost entirely on the side of the second plane P2 facing away from the central longitudinal axis X1. In other words, there is a portion of the upper second section 18 that lies outside the second plane P2. This is beneficial as the curvature of the second edge portion 54b provides suitable room to accommodate the arm 32 and the shoulder 34 of the wearer 30.

[0045] The portion of the upper first section 16 outside the first plane P1 and the portion of the upper second section 18 outside the second plane P2 allows for the top end 12 to be wider than the bottom end 14. Specifically, a widest distance between the first boundary edge 48 of the upper first section 16 and the second boundary edge 54 of the upper second section 18 is wider than a widest distance between the first boundary edge 64a of the first leg portion 64 and the second boundary edge 66a of the second leg portion 66.

[0046] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the lower body portion 26 may further include a first foot portion 68 and a second foot portion 70 adapted to receive feet (not shown) of the wearer 30. In one embodiment, the first leg portion 64 and the first foot portion 68 are fixedly secured to one another via a first seam 72 and the second leg portion 66 and the second foot portion 70 are fixedly secured to one another via a second seam 74; however, the first leg portion 64 and the first foot portion 68 and the second leg portion 66 and the second foot portion 70 may be connected in any suitable manner. It is further envisioned that the first foot portion may be detachable from the first leg portion 64 and that the second foot portion 70 may be detachable from the second leg portion 66.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1 the first foot portion 68 may include a first shaping seam 76 adapted to receive a foot of the wearer 30 and the second foot portion 70 may include a second shaping seam 78 adapted to receive a foot of the wearer.

[0048] In operation, and with reference to FIG. 4 through FIG. 8, the wearer 30 may open the slit 60 of the garment 10 by utilizing the third selective opening and closing mechanism 62 (i.e. pulling the zipper pull 62b which opens the zipper 62a) to enter the interior cavity 28 of the garment 10. While entering the interior cavity 28, the head 38 and the neck 40 of the wearer 30 may be received within the head aperture 36 and the hood 42. Once the wearer 30 is received within the interior cavity 28, the wearer 30 may close the slit 60 by utilizing the third selective opening and closing mechanism 62 (i.e. pulling the zipper pull 62b which closes the zipper 62a) to seal the interior cavity 28.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first arm aperture 50 may be closed by utilizing the first selective opening and closing mechanism 52 (i.e. pulling the zipper pull 52b which closes the zipper 52a) and the second arm aperture 56 may be closed by utilizing the second selective opening and closing mechanism 58 (i.e. pulling the zipper pull 58b which closes the zipper 58a). With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first arm aperture 50 may be opened by utilizing the first selective opening and closing mechanism 52 (i.e. pulling the zipper pull 52b which opens the zipper 52a) and the second arm aperture 56 may be opened by utilizing the second selective opening and closing mechanism 58 (i.e. pulling the zipper pull 58b which opens the zipper 58a).

[0050] With continued reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, after the first arm aperture 50 and the second arm aperture 56 are opened, the arms 32 of the wearer 30 may extend through the first arm aperture 50 and the second arm aperture 56.

[0051] With reference to FIG. 6 through FIG. 8, the wearer 30 may raise the wearer's arms 32 and shoulders 34 in order to perform various tasks, such as shooting a bow 80 (FIG. 7). As the arms 32 and shoulders 34 are raised to shoot the bow 80, the arms 32 and shoulders 34 may provide a force transversely against the interior cavity 28 towards the rear surface 22 of the garment 10. More specifically, the first section 44 and the second section 46 of the upper body portion 24 on the rear surface 22 of the garment 10 may be forced transversely in a direction facing the same direction that the rear surface 22 is facing. Such a movement is represented by arrow A in FIG. 8. Further, the first section 44 and the second section 46 of the upper body portion 24 on the front surface 20 of the garment 10 may be forced transversely in a direction facing the same direction that the rear surface 22 is facing and longitudinally. Such a movement is represented by arrow B in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. This movement is beneficial, at least in part, because the first the first section 44 and the second section 46 of the upper body portion 24 on the front surface 20 of the garment 10 are pulled tight against the wearer's body which allows suitable movement of arm 32 to perform various tasks, such as shooting a bow.

[0052] Suitable movement of the arms 32 of a wearer 30 is accomplished in part because both the first and second arm apertures 50, 56 begin at a position above the shoulders 34 of a wearer adjacent the head aperture 36. Arm apertures 50, 56 beginning at such a high position on the body of a wearer 30 so as to allow for the material that makes garment 10 to be able to get out of the way of the wearer 30 when wearer 30 is setting out to do various tasks, such as shooting a bow.

[0053] Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an embodiment has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0054] While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0056] Additionally, any method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

[0057] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

[0058] Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A garment comprising: a. a body portion having a front surface; b. a first arm aperture defined by the front surface; and c. a second arm aperture defined by the front surface, and wherein the first arm aperture and the second arm aperture are selectively closable.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the first arm aperture is selectively closable via a first selective opening and closing mechanism and the second arm aperture is closeable via a second selective opening and closing mechanism.

3. The garment of claim 2 wherein the body portion further includes a rear surface in a position parallel with said front surface.

4. The garment of claim 3 wherein the body portion includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion defining an interior cavity and wherein the first and second arm apertures are located on the upper body portion.

5. The garment of claim 4 wherein the upper body portion is defined by an upper first section and an upper second section and wherein the first arm aperture is located in the upper first section and the second arm aperture is located in the upper second section.

6. The garment of claim 5 wherein the upper first section includes a first boundary edge and the upper second section includes a second boundary edge and wherein the first boundary edge and the second boundary edge define a transverse direction between the front surface and the rear surface.

7. The garment of claim 6 wherein the lower body portion further includes a first leg portion having a first boundary edge and a second leg portion having a second boundary edge and wherein the first boundary edge and the second boundary edge define the transverse direction between the front surface and the rear surface

8. The garment of claim 7 wherein a widest distance between the first boundary edge of the upper first section and the second boundary edge of the upper second section is wider than a widest distance between the first boundary edge of the first leg portion and the second boundary edge of the second leg portion.

9. The garment of claim 6 further including a head aperture located in the middle of the upper body portion between the first boundary edge and the second boundary edge.

10. The garment of claim 9 further including a hood attached to the body portion adjacent the head aperture.

11. The garment of claim 6 wherein the first arm aperture begins at the first boundary edge adjacent the head aperture and extends vertically downward at a first angle .alpha.1 and the second arm aperture begins at the second boundary edge adjacent the head aperture and extends vertically downward at a second angle .alpha.2.

12. The garment of claim 11 wherein .alpha.1 is between about 91 degrees and about 110 degrees and wherein .alpha.2 is between about 91 degrees and about 110 degrees.

13. The garment of claim 7 further including a first foot portion secured to the first leg portion and a second foot portion secured to the second leg portion wherein the first foot portion is selectively detachable from the first leg portion and the second leg portion is selectively detachable from the second leg portion.

14. The garment of claim 4 wherein the upper body portion and optionally the lower body portion define a slit that allows access to the interior cavity and wherein the slit is selectively closable via a third selective opening and closing mechanism.