CONVERTIBLE CLOTHING ACCESSORY

Abstract

A convertible clothing accessory configured to be worn by a user. The convertible clothing accessory includes a barrier, a plurality of strings coupled to the barrier such that the plurality of strings is configured to secure the barrier to the user, and an attachment means coupled to the barrier. The convertible clothing accessory is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the barrier is adapted to be worn as a mask on a face of the user, and a second configuration, where the attachment means is arranged to removably attach the barrier to an article of clothing worn by the user, such that the barrier is adapted to be worn as a clothing accessory.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The disclosure relates generally to clothing accessories and, more particularly, to a clothing accessory that may be converted from a face mask to a pocket square (and vice-versa).

BACKGROUND

[0002] A lot of men do not wear pocket squares because they are difficult to style and even when they are styled correctly, they hardly stay in place. Most men are very particular and do not like to wear fake or pre-folded pocket squares because of the cheap and too perfect look offered by the fake or pre-folded pocket squares.

SUMMARY

[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a convertible clothing accessory configured to be worn by a user. The convertible clothing accessory includes a barrier, a plurality of strings coupled to the barrier such that the plurality of strings is configured to secure the barrier to the user, and an attachment means coupled to the barrier. The convertible clothing accessory is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the barrier is adapted to be worn as a mask on a face of the user, and a second configuration, where the attachment means is arranged to removably attach the barrier to an article of clothing worn by the user, such that the barrier is adapted to be worn as a clothing accessory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a front view of a first example of a convertible clothing accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the convertible clothing accessory in a first configuration;

[0005] FIG. 2 is a rear view of FIG. 1;

[0006] FIG. 3 is a right-side view of FIG. 1, but showing the convertible clothing accessory in a partially folded configuration;

[0007] FIG. 4 is a left-side view of FIG. 3;

[0008] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the convertible clothing accessory in a second configuration;

[0009] FIG. 6 is a rear view of FIG. 5;

[0010] FIG. 7 shows an article of clothing adapted to be attached to the convertible clothing accessory of FIGS. 1-6;

[0011] FIG. 8 shows the convertible clothing accessory of FIGS. 1-6 being attached to the article of clothing;

[0012] FIG. 9 shows the convertible clothing accessory of FIGS. 1-6 attached to the article of clothing;

[0013] FIG. 10 shows a second example of a convertible clothing accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the convertible clothing accessory in a first configuration and attached to a face of a user;

[0014] FIG. 11 shows a third example of a convertible clothing accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the convertible clothing accessory in a first configuration and attached to a face of a user;

[0015] FIG. 12 shows a fourth example of a convertible clothing accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the convertible clothing accessory in a first configuration and attached to a face of a user;

[0016] FIG. 13 shows a fifth example of a convertible clothing accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the convertible clothing accessory in a first configuration and attached to a face of a user; and

[0017] FIG. 14 shows a sixth example of a convertible clothing accessory constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the convertible clothing accessory in a first configuration and attached to a face of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The disclosed convertible clothing accessory can function as a pocket square that solves the problems associated with fake or pre-folded pocket squares by sewing real fabric into pre-folded styles that look and feel organic while providing a securement apparatus to ensure a tailored look all day. At the same time, the clothing accessory may be converted from a pocket square into a mask, making it easy and convenient to stay protected from hazardous particles while preserving your style. The convertible clothing accessory as disclosed herein is a multiuse, forward thinking clothing accessory that provides a cool place to store your stylish mask when not in use (e.g., your coat pocket styled as a pocket square), thereby bringing an individual's entire outfit together and providing an extra element of creativity and self-expression.

[0019] FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a first example of a convertible clothing accessory 100 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The convertible clothing accessory 100 generally includes a barrier 104, a plurality of straps 108 attached to the barrier 104, and an attachment means 112 coupled to the barrier 104 (e.g., disposed on a side of the barrier). The convertible clothing accessory 100 is reconfigurable between a first configuration, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the barrier 104 is adapted to be worn as a mask on the face of a user, and a second configuration, shown in FIG. 8, where the attachment means 112 is arranged to removably attach the barrier 104 to an item of clothing worn by the user (e.g., a suit coat 116), such that the barrier 104 is adapted to be worn as a clothing accessory.

[0020] When the convertible clothing accessory 100 is in its first configuration, the barrier 104 substantially covers a nose, mouth, and chin of the user, thereby preventing certain particulates from being inhaled and exhaled by the user. More particularly, the material and overall shape of the barrier 104 help protect against airborne particles and mists that can negatively affect the user's health or the health of others proximate the user.

[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the barrier 104 includes a front side 120, a back side 124 opposite the front side 120, a first end 128, a second end 132 opposite the first end 128, a top end 136, and a bottom end 140 opposite the top end 136. As best illustrated in the FIG. 8, when the convertible clothing accessory 100 is in its second configuration, the barrier 104 has a generally rectangular shape, but in other examples, the barrier could instead have a circular, triangular, trapezoidal, irregular, or other shape. The barrier 104 may be made of cotton, denim, silk, and/or linen. The barrier 104 may include a reversible design pattern. The barrier 104 may also include embroidery as well as other outward facing labels. Further, the bottom end 140 of the barrier 104 may be a snug rounded design. While not illustrated, the barrier 104 may include a pocket that is adapted to receive a filter configured to remove additional particles and mists from others proximate the user that could affect the user's health or block particles and mists from the user that could affect the health of others proximate the user. In some examples, the barrier 104 can be water proof. In other examples, the barrier 104 can be water resistant. In yet other examples, the barrier 104 can be moisture wicking.

[0022] In this example, the plurality of straps 108 includes a first strap 144 that is attached to the first end 128 of the barrier 104 and a second strap 148 that is attached to the second end 132 of the barrier 104. So configured, the first and second straps 144, 148 of the plurality of straps 108 are adapted to releasably secure the barrier 104 to the user when the convertible clothing accessory 100 is in its first configuration. In particular, because each of the first and second straps 144, 148 is located at an end of the barrier 104, each of the first and second straps 144, 148 is arranged to be placed over each ear, respectively, of the user when the convertible clothing accessory 100 is in its first configuration. Additionally, each of the first and second straps 144, 148 can be adjustable. For example, each of the first and second straps 144, 148 can be adjusted to a longer or shorter length, thereby allowing for a custom fit for different users. Advantageously, because the barrier 104 is reversible, the first and second straps 144, 148 may be placed on either ear of the user without impacting the efficacy or comfort of the mask.

[0023] When the convertible clothing accessory 100 is in its second configuration, the attachment means 112 is arranged to secure the barrier 104 to an article of clothing of the user and includes a first portion 152 and a second portion 156. The first portion 152 is fixedly secured to the barrier 104 and used to secure the barrier 104 to the second portion 156 of the attachment means 112. In this example, the first portion 152 is fixedly secured to the front side 120 of the barrier 104 proximate the first end 128 and the bottom end 140, as illustrated in, for example, FIGS. 1, 3, and 8. In other examples, however, the first portion 152 can be fixedly secured to a different portion of the barrier 140. The second portion 156 is disposed on the article of clothing of the user in a location where the user would ultimately like to wear the clothing accessory. In this example, the second portion 156 is secured to an interior surface 160 of the suit coat 116, as illustrated in, for example, FIG. 7. In other examples, however, the second portion 156 can be secured to a different portion of the suit coat 116 or to a different article of clothing (e.g., a denim jacket, a leather jacket, a bomber jacket, a shirt with a chest pocket, or a uniform).

[0024] Advantageously, the second portion 156 is secured to the article of clothing of the user in a non-intrusive manner, allowing the second portion 156 to be easily removed from the article of clothing without causing any damage thereto. For example, once placed in a washer, the second portion 156 can be removed from the article of clothing during the washing cycle. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, the attachment means 112 is a Velcro connection, with the first portion 152 taking the form of hooks and the second portion 156 taking the form of loops that bind to the hooks (or vice versa). However, in other examples, the attachment means 112 can instead be a tongue and groove or a snap-fit.

[0025] It will be appreciated that the convertible clothing accessory can differ from the convertible clothing accessory 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. More particularly, the convertible clothing accessory can differ in shape, size, and/or design. FIG. 10, for example, illustrates a second example of a convertible clothing accessory 1000 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and in its first configuration in which the barrier 1004 is worn as a mask on the face of a user. FIGS. 11-14 illustrate third, fourth, fifth, and sixth examples of convertible clothing accessories 1100, 1200, 1300, and 1400, respectively, constructed in accordance with the present disclosure and in its first configuration in which the accessories are worn as a mask on the face of different users.

Claims

1. A convertible clothing accessory configured to be worn by a user, comprising: a barrier; a plurality of strings coupled to the barrier such that the plurality of strings is configured to secure the barrier to the user; and an attachment means coupled to the barrier, wherein the convertible clothing accessory is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the barrier is adapted to be worn as a mask on a face of the user, and a second configuration, where the attachment means is arranged to removably attach the barrier to an article of clothing worn by the user, such that the barrier is adapted to be worn as a clothing accessory.

2. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is fixedly disposed on the barrier.

3. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 1, wherein the barrier is water proof.

4. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 1, wherein the barrier is water resistant.

5. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of strings is adjustable.

6. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a first portion and a second portion removably attached to the first portion.

7. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 6, wherein the first portion comprises hooks and the second portion comprises loops that removably bind to the hooks.

8. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 1, wherein the barrier has a reversible design pattern.

9. A convertible clothing accessory configured to be worn by a user, comprising: a barrier having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a plurality of strings, the plurality of strings having a first string coupled to the first end of the barrier and a second string coupled to the second end of the barrier; and an attachment means coupled to the barrier, the attachment means having a first portion fixedly coupled to the barrier and a second portion adapted to be removably coupled to an article of clothing worn by the user; wherein the convertible clothing accessory is reconfigurable between a first configuration, where the barrier is worn as a mask on a face of the user, and a second configuration, where the attachment means is arranged to removably attach the barrier to the article of clothing, such that the barrier is adapted to be worn as a clothing accessory.

10. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 9, wherein the attachment means is fixedly disposed on the barrier.

11. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 9, wherein the barrier is water proof.

12. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 9, wherein the barrier is water resistant.

13. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of strings is adjustable.

14. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 9, wherein the attachment means comprises a first portion and a second portion removably attached to the first portion.

15. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 14, wherein the first portion comprises hooks and the second portion comprises loops that removably bind to the hooks.

16. The convertible clothing accessory of claim 1, wherein the barrier has a reversible design pattern.