US20170311663A1

US20170311663A1 - Convertible wearing apparel

Info

Publication number: US20170311663A1
Application number: US15/141,699
Authority: US
Inventors: Jo Wollschlaeger; Linsey Ebuen; Sara McMahon
Original assignee: Goumikids LLC
Current assignee: Goumikids LLC
Priority date: 2016-04-28
Filing date: 2016-04-28
Publication date: 2017-11-02

Abstract

A garment comprises a body having a front side and a back side, and sleeves attached to the body. The garment further comprises a bottom flap movably attached to the back side of the body, the bottom flap convertible between a first position and a second position. The sleeves of the garment may each further comprise a front side and a back side, a first flap movably attached to the back side of each sleeve and convertible between a first position and a second position. The back side of each sleeve may be longer than the front side of each sleeve. The flaps movably attached to each sleeve may each have a first and a second side, the first and the second sides each formed from fabric having a different pattern, color, texture, or other perceivable distinction than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to infant wearing apparel, and more particularly to convertible infant wearing apparel.

2. Description of Background

Infant sleeping “sacks” generally include a “sack”-like bottom in which the infant's legs and feet are enclosed. To access the infant for activities such as diaper changes, a zipper running the length of the garment must be unzipped, exposing the infant's body, making the infant uncomfortable and the diaper change more difficult. These sleep sacks also do not enclose the infant's hands, leaving the infant exposed to germs and bacteria, and susceptible to scratches from the infant's fingernails. While some infant sleep sacks include swaddling flaps that constrain the infant's arms, the flaps limit the infant's mobility and comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a garment comprises a body having a front side, a back side, a top opening, and a bottom opening. A first sleeve is attached to the body near the top opening, and a second sleeve is also attached to the body near the top opening. The garment further comprises a bottom flap movably attached to the back side of the body. The bottom flap is convertible between a first position wherein the bottom opening of the body is in an open position, and a second position wherein the bottom opening of the body is in a closed position. When the bottom flap is in the first position, such that the bottom opening is open, the infant's legs and feet are exposed and accessible.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first sleeve and the second sleeve of the garment each have a front side and a back side. The garment may further comprise a first sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the first sleeve, and a second sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the second sleeve. The sleeve flaps are convertible between a first position wherein the sleeves are open, allowing the infant's hand to project from the distal end of the sleeve, and a second position wherein the sleeves are closed, thereby enclosing the infant's hands within the garment. The back side of the sleeve may be longer than the front side of the sleeve so that when the sleeve flap is inverted, bunching of the fabric of the front side is minimized, and the closed sleeve is still long enough to accommodate the infant's arm and hand.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sleeve flaps may each be formed from a fabric that is different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment, either as to pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction. The sleeve flaps may each have a first side and a second side, the first side formed from a first fabric that is different in pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction, and the second side formed form a second fabric that is different in pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction. In this manner, when the sleeve flaps are in the first, non-converted position, the first fabric is exposed, and when the sleeve flaps are in the second, converted position, the second fabric is exposed. The sleeve flap fabrics and, particularly, the second fabric used for the second side of the sleeve flap may be selected on the basis of the fabric's ability to stimulate infant brain and eye development, such as a fabric featuring a high contrast, bold pattern.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the front side of a garment having convertible sleeves and a convertible bottom flap, wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the first, non-converted position.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the front side of a convertible garment wherein a front opening of the garment is shown in the open position.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the front side of a convertible garment wherein the first sleeve is inverted to show the back side of the first sleeve, and wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the first, non-converted position.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the front side of a convertible garment, wherein the first sleeve is in the converted, second position.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the front side of a convertible garment, wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the converted, second position.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the back side of a convertible garment, wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the first, non-converted position.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the back side of a convertible garment, wherein both sleeves and the bottom flap are in the second, converted position.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the bottom portion of a convertible garment, wherein the bottom flap is in the first, non-converted position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the bottom portion of a convertible garment, wherein the bottom flap is in the second, converted position.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a sleeve of a convertible garment, wherein the sleeve is in the first, non-converted position.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a sleeve of a convertible garment, wherein the sleeve is in the second, converted position.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a method for converting an embodiment convertible garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference initially to FIGS. 1-3 and 6, a convertible garment 10 having sleeves 16, 17 and a convertible bottom flap 18 (see FIG. 6) is shown.
The garment 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6 includes body 11. Body 11 may be formed from one or more pieces of fabric to form a body 11 having a front side 12 and a back side 13. For example, the body 11 may be made up of two pieces of fabric, one piece forming the front side 12 of the garment 10, and one piece forming the back side 13 of the garment 10. The front side 12 may be attached to the back side 13 by any conventional means, such as sewing the front side 12 to the back side 13 at two side seams. Alternatively, one piece of fabric may be used to form body 11, with the edges attached on one side seam. Alternatively, one continuous loop of fabric may be used to form the body 11 such that a portion of the fabric loop makes up the front side 12 of the garment 10, and a portion of the fabric loop makes up the back side 13 of the garment 10. Other fabric piece numbers and arrangements may also be used; for instance, more than one piece of fabric could be used to make front side 12 of body 11, and/or more than one piece of fabric could be used to make the back side 13 of body 11.
In an embodiment, bottom flap 18 is of a length less than the length of the body 11 of the garment, as can be seen in FIG. 6. Bottom flap 18 may be movably attached to the body 11 of garment 10 by any conventional means. For example, bottom flap 18 may be movably attached to the body 11 by sewing the side edges of bottom flap 18 in-between the piece or pieces of fabric forming front side 12 and the piece or pieces of fabric forming back side 13, with the bottom edge of bottom flap 18 sewn to the piece of fabric forming back side 13. Alternatively, both the side edges and the bottom edge of bottom flap 18 may be sewn to the piece or pieces of fabric forming back side 13. If one piece of fabric is used to form body 11, with the edges joined on one side seam, one side edge and the bottom edge of bottom flap 18 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the back side 13 of body 11, and one side edge of the bottom flap 18 may sewn into the side seam. If one continuous loop of fabric is used to form body 11, the side edges and bottom edge of bottom flap 18 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the back side 13 of body 11. Regardless of how bottom flap 18 is attached to the body 11, the top edge of bottom flap 18 is not attached to body 11, but is left free, so that an invertible pouch is formed between bottom flap 18 and the back side 13 of body 11.
In FIG. 6, the bottom edge of bottom flap 18 is curvilinear, as are the bottom edges of the front side 12 and the back side 13 of body 11. However, the bottom edges need not be curvilinear as shown, and may alternatively be straight edges or any other shape.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, in an embodiment, bottom flap 18 includes one-half of a closure 22 attached to its top, free edge, which, when bottom flap 18 is inverted, may mate with the other half of the closure 22 that is attached to the front side 12 of body 11. The closure 22 may be, for example, a snap closure, with the male half of the closure attached to the front side 12 of body 11, and the female half of the closure attached to the top edge of bottom flap 18, or vice versa. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, one half of closure 22 is attached to the underside of a tab formed on the front side 12 of the garment 10. However, this half of closure 22 may alternatively be attached in an exposed position on the front side 12 of the garment. Other conventional closures 22 may be used, such as a button and button hole, a hook and eye, Velcro®, zippers, or the like. One or more closures 22 may be included. In another embodiment, no closure 22 is included.
In an embodiment, the back side 13 of body 11 is longer than the front side 12 of body 11, as can be seen in FIGS. 1-3. For instance, back side 13 may be approximately 1 cm longer than front side 12, as measured at the midline of the garment. Having back side 13 be slightly longer than front side 12 helps minimize bunching of the fabric forming the front side 12 when bottom flap 18 is inverted to the second, closed position. In another embodiment, back side 13 and front side 12 are approximately the same length.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, sleeves 16, 17 may be attached to body 11 near top opening 14 by any conventional means. Each sleeve 16, 17 may be formed from one or more pieces of fabric to form a sleeve having a front side 16 a, 17 a and a back side 16 b, 17 b. For example, each sleeve 16, 17 may be made up of two pieces of fabric, one piece forming the front side 16 a, 17 a of the sleeve 16, 17, and one piece forming the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. The front sides 16 a, 17 a may be attached to the back sides 16 b, 17 b by any conventional means, such as sewing the front side 16 a, 17 a to the back side 16 b, 17 b at two side seams. Alternatively, each sleeve 16, 17 may be made up of one piece of fabric, with the edges joined on one side seam. Alternatively, each sleeve 16, 17 may be made up of one continuous loop of fabric such that a portion of the fabric loop makes up the front side 16 a, 17 a of the sleeve 16, 17, and a portion of the fabric loop makes up the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. Other fabric piece numbers and arrangements may be used; for instance, more than one piece of fabric could be used to make the front side 16 a, 17 a of each sleeve 16, 17, and/or more than one piece of fabric could be used to make the back sides 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17. Regardless of how sleeve 16, 17 is formed, the most distal portion of each sleeve 16, 17 is left open, such that openings 23, 24 are formed in each sleeve, through which an infant's hand may project when the garment is worn by an infant.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, in an embodiment, each sleeve 16, 17 includes a sleeve flap 19, 20 movably attached to the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17, as described further below. The back side 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17 may be longer than the front side 16 a, 17 a of the sleeve 16, 17. For instance, the back side 16 b, 17 b may be approximately 3-6 cm longer than the front side 16 a, 17 a, as measured at the midline of the sleeve. The front side 16 a, 17 a of each sleeve 16, 17 may be of a length that is approximately as long as an infant's arm, while the added length of the back side 16 b, 17 b may be of a length that is approximately as long as an infant's hand such that the back side 16 b, 17 b of sleeve 16, 17 is approximately as long as an infant's arm and hand combined. Having the back side 16 b, 17 b be longer than the front side 16 a, 17 a helps to minimize bunching of fabric when the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are inverted to the second, closed position, while ensuring that the arm of the garment is sufficiently long to enclose an infant's arm and hand when the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are in the inverted, closed position. In another embodiment, the back side 16 b, 17 b and the front side 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17 are approximately the same length.
Sleeve flaps 19, 20 may be movably attached to the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17 by any conventional means. For example, sleeve flaps 19, 20 may be movably attached to the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17 by sewing the side edges of the sleeve flap 19, 20 in-between the piece or pieces of fabric forming front side 16 b, 17 b and the piece or pieces of fabric forming back side 16 b, 17 b , with the bottom edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 sewn to the piece of fabric forming back side 16 b, 17 b . Alternatively, both the side edges and the bottom edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 may be sewn to the piece of fabric forming back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. If one piece of fabric is used to form each sleeve 16, 17, with the edges joined on one side seam, one side edge of the sleeve flap 19, 20 may be sewn into the side seam, while a slit may be cut in the fabric forming the sleeve opposite the side seam, the other side edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 sewn between the two pieces of fabric formed by the slit; the bottom edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. If one continuous loop of fabric is used to form sleeve 16, 17, the side edges and bottom edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the back side 16 b, 17 b of the sleeve 16, 17. Regardless of how sleeve flap 19, 20 is attached to sleeve 16, 17, the top edge of sleeve flap 19, 20 is not attached to sleeve 16, 17, but is left free, so that an invertible pouch is formed between sleeve flap 19, 20 and the back side 16 b, 17 b of sleeve 16, 17.
In FIG. 6, the bottom edge of each sleeve flap 19, 20 is curvilinear, as is the bottom edge of the back side 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17. However, these edges need not be curvilinear as shown, and may alternatively be straight edges or any other shape. Likewise, while the bottom edge of the front side 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17 is straight in FIGS. 1-3, it will be appreciated that this edge need not be straight, and alternatively may be curvilinear or any other shape.
In FIGS. 1-3 and 6, an embodiment garment is shown in its non-converted form. In the non-converted form, bottom flap 18 is in a first position wherein bottom flap 18 is not inverted from the back side 13 to the front side 12 of the garment 10. When bottom flap 18 is in this position, bottom opening 15 is open. In this position, the feet and legs of an infant wearing the garment may project through the bottom opening 15.
In an embodiment, in the non-converted form, sleeve flaps 19, 20 are also in a first position wherein the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are not inverted from the back side 16 b, 17 b to the front side 16 b, 17 b of each sleeve 16, 17. When sleeve flaps 19, 20 are in this position, sleeve openings 23, 24 are open. In this position, the hands of an infant wearing the garment may project through the sleeve openings 23, 24, allowing the infant's hands to be exposed.
In particular, FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an embodiment convertible garment wherein bottom flap 18 (not visible) and sleeve flaps 19, 20 (not visible) are in the first, non-converted position. In this position, bottom flap 18 and sleeve flaps 19, 20 are each disposed on the back side 13 of the garment 10, leaving bottom opening 15 and sleeve openings 23, 24 all open. FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the same embodiment convertible garment wherein bottom flap 18 and sleeve flaps 19, 20 are in the first, non-converted position, i.e., are disposed on the back side of the garment, leaving bottom opening 15 (not visible) and sleeve openings 23, 24 (not visible) all open.
FIG. 3 is another front elevation view wherein bottom flap 18 (not visible) and sleeve flaps 19 (visible) and 20 (not visible) are in the first, non-converted position. In FIG. 3, a portion of first sleeve 16 is inverted to show the back side 16 b of sleeve 16, with first sleeve flap 19 movably attached to the back side 16 b of sleeve 16. Second sleeve 17 is not inverted in FIG. 3, and therefore the second sleeve flap 20, disposed on the back side 17 b of sleeve 17, is not visible.
Garment 10 may further include a body opening 21 (see FIGS. 1-2). Body opening 21 allows for the body 11 of the garment 10 to be changed between a first, closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a second, open position, as shown in FIG. 2. Body opening 21 may be located in approximately the middle of the front side 12 of body 11. Body opening 21 may run the full length of the front side 12, or it may run less than the full length of front side 12, i.e., body opening 21 may have a shorter length than the length of the front side 12 of body 11. Body opening 21 may include one or more closures 25 for closing body opening 21. The closures 25 may be, for example, snap closures, or may be other conventional closures 25, such as a button and button hole, hook and eye, Velcro®, zipper, or the like. In another embodiment, no body opening 21 is included. In other embodiments, body opening 21 may be located elsewhere on the front side 12 of body 11, or it may be located on the back side 13 of body 11.
Turning to FIGS. 4-5 and 7, the convertible features of an embodiment garment are shown. FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a convertible garment wherein bottom flap 18 (not visible) and sleeve flap 20 (not visible) are in the first, non-converted position, whereas sleeve flap 19 (visible) is in the second, converted position. In other words, bottom flap 18 and sleeve flap 20 in FIG. 4 are not inverted and are still disposed on the back side of the garment, whereas sleeve flap 19 is inverted to the front side 16 a of sleeve 16. Thus, sleeve opening 24 of sleeve 17 is open, allowing for the hand of an infant wearing the garment to project through opening 24, whereas sleeve opening 23 (not visible) is closed, preventing the infant's hand from projecting through opening 23. Further, because bottom flap 18 is not inverted, bottom opening 15 is open, such that the feet and legs of an infant wearing the garment may project through the opening 15.
In FIG. 5, an embodiment garment is shown in its fully converted form. Bottom flap 18 is in a second position wherein bottom flap 18 is inverted from the back side 13 to the front side 12 of garment 10, thereby closing bottom opening 15 (not visible). This converted position allows for the feet and legs of an infant wearing the garment 10 to be enclosed within the garment, i.e., the feet and legs do not project through bottom opening 15. If included, optional closure 22 may be utilized to secure bottom flap 18 to the front side 12 of garment 10 when bottom flap 18 is in the second, converted position.
Sleeve flaps 19 and 20 are also shown in their converted form in FIG. 5. In other words, each sleeve flap 19, 20 is inverted from the back side 16 b, 17 b to the front side 16 b, 17 b of sleeves 16, 17, thereby closing sleeve openings 23, 24 (not visible). This converted position allows for the hands of an infant wearing the garment 10 to be enclosed within the garment, i.e., the hands do not project through sleeve openings 23, 24.
FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the convertible garment 10 shown in FIG. 5 in its fully converted form. As is seen in FIG. 7, when garment 10 is in its fully converted form, bottom flap 18 (not visible) and sleeve flaps 19, 20 (not visible) are in the second, converted position, i.e., are inverted from the back to the front of garment 10. In this configuration, bottom flap 18 and sleeve flaps 19, 20 are no longer disposed on the back of the garment, and bottom opening 15 (not visible) and sleeve openings 23, 24 (not visible) are each closed.
FIGS. 8-9 are side views of the bottom portion of an embodiment convertible garment. In FIG. 8, bottom flap 18 is in the first, non-converted position, i.e., is not inverted from the back side 13 of garment 10, leaving bottom opening 15 open. In this position, the feet and legs of an infant wearing the garment may project through bottom opening 15.
In FIG. 9, bottom flap 18 is in the second, converted position, i.e., is inverted from the back side 13 to the front side 12 of garment 10, thereby closing bottom opening 15 (not visible). In this position, the feet and legs of an infant wearing the garment are enclosed within the garment, i.e., they do not project through bottom opening 15. Garment 10 may further include closure 22, which may be utilized to secure bottom flap 18 to the front side 12 of garment 10 when bottom flap 18 is in the second, converted position.
FIGS. 10-11 are side views of a sleeve of an embodiment convertible garment. While only one sleeve 17 is shown, it will be appreciated that the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-11 may apply equally to both sleeves 16, 17.
In FIG. 10, sleeve flap 20 is in the first, non-converted position, i.e., is not inverted from the back side 17 b to the front side 17 a of sleeve 17, leaving sleeve opening 24 open. In this position, the hand of an infant wearing the garment may project through sleeve opening 24, allowing the infant's hand to be exposed.
In FIG. 11, sleeve flap 20 is in the second, converted position, i.e., is inverted from the back side 17 b to the front side 17 a of sleeve 17, thereby closing sleeve opening 24 (not visible). In this position, the hand of an infant wearing the garment is enclosed within the garment, i.e., does not project through sleeve opening 24.
In an embodiment, sleeve flap 20 includes a first side 20 a (visible in FIG. 10) and a second side 20 b (visible in FIG. 11). First side 20 a and second side 20 b may each be separate pieces of fabric joined together through conventional means with their backsides facing, such that the front sides of the fabric pieces are exposed. Alternatively, sleeve flap 20 may be a single piece of fabric that is printed on both sides.
In an embodiment, first side 20 a and second side 20 b are each formed from fabric that is different than the fabric used to form the rest of garment 10, either as to pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction. For example, while the rest of garment 10 may be formed from one or more solid-color fabrics, first side 20 a may be formed from a patterned fabric, and second side 20 b may be formed from a different patterned fabric. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-11, for instance, first side 20 a is formed from a fabric having an animal pattern, whereas second side 20 b is formed from a fabric having a dotted pattern. Alternatively, first side 20 a and second side 20 b could both be formed from the same fabric, which is different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment 10, either as to pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction. Although an animal pattern is shown in FIG. 10 and a dotted pattern is shown in FIG. 11, it will be understood that other patterns, colors, and textures may be used.
By being formed of fabric that is different than the fabric used to form the rest of garment 10, different patterns, colors, or textures are exposed depending on whether the sleeve 17 is converted or not. For instance, in FIG. 10, which shows sleeve flap 20 in its non-converted, first position, first side 20 a, printed with an animal pattern, is exposed. However, when sleeve flap 20 is converted to the second position as shown in FIG. 11, i.e., is inverted from the back side 17 b to the front side 17 a of sleeve 17, second side 20 b, printed with a dotted pattern, is exposed.
In an embodiment, the fabric or fabrics selected for the first and second sides 20 a, 20 b are selected on the basis of the fabric's ability to stimulate infant brain and eye development. For instance, a patterned fabric featuring a high contrast, bold pattern, such as the dotted pattern shown in FIG. 11, may be selected because of its ability to stimulate infant brain and eye development. Such a fabric may be used solely for second side 20 b, which is exposed to the infant's view when sleeve flap 20 is in the second, converted position. Alternatively, such a fabric, or two or more of such fabrics, may be used for both sides 20 a, 20 b. Although a dotted pattern is shown in FIG. 11, it will be understood that any other pattern, color, texture, or other perceivable distinction that has the ability to stimulate infant brain and eye development may be used.
Turning to FIG. 12, a flow chart of a method for converting an embodiment convertible garment having both a bottom flap 18 and sleeve flaps 19, 20 from a first, non-converted position to a second, converted position, and then back to a first, non-converted position, is shown.
Blocks 1201-1203 of FIG. 12 illustrate a process for converting garment 10 from a non-converted, first position to a fully converted, second position. At block 1201, bottom flap 18 of garment 10 is inverted from the back side 13 to the front side 12 of garment 10. At block 1202, sleeve flap 19 is inverted from the back side 16 b to the front side 16 a of sleeve 16. At block 1203, sleeve flap 20 is inverted from the back side 17 b to the front side 17 a of sleeve 17. As a result of these steps, garment 10 is fully converted from a first, non-converted position, to a second, converted position. It will be appreciated that the order shown in blocks 1201-1203 of FIG. 12 is non-limiting, and that the conversion process can proceed in other orders, for example, one or both sleeve flaps 19, 20 may be inverted before bottom flap 18 is inverted; further, multiple convertible elements may be converted at the same time It will also be appreciated that less than all three convertible elements may be converted, for example, the bottom flap 18 may be converted while the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are not converted, or sleeve flap 19 may be converted while bottom flap 18 and sleeve flap 20 are not converted, and so on.
Blocks 1204-1206 of FIG. 12 illustrate a process for converting garment 10 from a fully converted, second position to a non-converted, first position. At block 1204, bottom flap 18 of garment 10 is inverted from the front side 12 to the back side 13 of garment 10. At block 1205, sleeve flap 19 is inverted from the front side 16 a to the back side 16 b of sleeve 16. At block 1206, sleeve flap 20 is inverted from the front side 17 a to the back side 17 b of sleeve 17. As a result of these steps, garment 10 is fully converted from a second, converted position to a first, non-converted position. It will be appreciated that the order shown in blocks 1204-1206 of FIG. 12 is non-limiting, and that the conversion process can proceed in other orders, for example, one or both sleeve flaps 19, 20 may be inverted before bottom flap 18 is inverted; further, multiple convertible elements may be un-converted at the same time. It will also be appreciated that less than all three convertible elements may be un-converted, for example, the bottom flap 18 may be un-converted while the sleeve flaps 19, 20 are not un-converted, or sleeve flap 19 may be un-converted while bottom flap 18 and sleeve flap 20 are not un-converted, and so on.
While the garment 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-12 has both a bottom flap 18 and sleeve flaps 19, 20, it will be understood that in an embodiment, the garment 10 may only have the bottom flap 18, i.e., the sleeves 16, 17 of the garment may not be convertible as described herein, or garment 10 may simply not include any sleeves. In another embodiment, garment 10 may only have sleeve flaps 19, 20 and not bottom flap 18, i.e., the bottom of the garment may not be convertible as described herein. Such a garment may have legs attached to the distal portion of body 11, rather than having the bottom opening 15 and bottom flap 18 shown in the figures.
While the garment 10 described herein is described with reference to a particular application, namely, a garment for infants, it will be understood that the garment 10 may alternatively have other applications. For instance, the garment 10 may be sized larger so that it may be worn by older children, or even larger yet so that it may be worn by adults.
Further, while the garment 10 described herein is described with reference to a garment wherein bottom flap 18 and/or sleeve flaps 19, 20 are disposed on the back side of the garment 10 when in their non-converted position, it will be understood that bottom flap 18 and/or sleeve flaps 19, 20 may alternatively be disposed on the front side of the garment 10 when in their non-converted position. In such an embodiment, bottom flap 18 and/or sleeve flaps 19, 20 are invertible from a first, non-converted position, wherein the flaps are disposed on the front side of the garment leaving bottom opening 15 and/or sleeve openings 23, 24 open, to a second, converted position, wherein the flaps are inverted to the back side of the garment, thereby closing off bottom opening 15 and/or sleeve openings 23, 24.
It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A garment comprising:

a body having a front side, a back side, a top opening, and a bottom opening;

a first sleeve attached to the body near the top opening;

a second sleeve attached to the body near the top opening; and

a bottom flap movably attached to the back side of the body, the bottom flap convertible between a first position wherein the bottom opening of the body is in an open position, and a second position wherein the bottom opening of the body is in a closed position.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each further comprise a front side and a back side, the garment further comprising:

a first sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the first sleeve, the first sleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the first sleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the first sleeve is in a closed position; and

a second sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the second sleeve, the second sleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the second sleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the second sleeve is in a closed position.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the back side of the first sleeve is longer than the front side of the first sleeve, and the back side of the second sleeve is longer than the front side of the second sleeve.

4. The garment of claim 2, wherein the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap each have a first side and a second side, the first sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a first fabric different than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment, and the second sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a second fabric different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment.

5. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a closure for removably attaching the bottom flap to the front side of the body when the bottom flap is in the second position.

6. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a front opening in approximately the middle of the front side of the body, the front opening including a closure for detachably closing the front opening.

7. The garment of claim 1 wherein a length of the front side of the body is less than a length of the back side of the body.

8. A garment comprising:

a body having a front side, a back side, a top opening, and a bottom opening;

a first sleeve attached to the body near the top opening, the first sleeve having a front side and a back side;

a second sleeve attached to the body near the top opening, the second sleeve having a front side and a back side;

a bottom flap movably attached to the back side of the body, the bottom flap convertible between a first position wherein the bottom opening of the body is in an open position, and a second position wherein the bottom opening of the body is in a closed position;

9. The garment of claim 8, wherein the back side of the first sleeve is longer than the front side of the first sleeve, and the back side of the second sleeve is longer than the front side of the second sleeve.

10. The garment of claim 8, wherein the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap each have a first side and a second side, the first sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a first fabric different than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment, and the second sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a second fabric different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment.

11. The garment of claim 8, further comprising a closure for removably attaching the bottom flap to the front side of the body when the bottom flap is in the second position.

12. The garment of claim 8, further comprising a front opening in approximately the middle of the front side of the body, the front opening including a closure for detachably closing the front opening.

13. A garment comprising:

a body having a front side, a back side, and a top opening;

14. The garment of claim 13 further comprising:

a bottom opening; and

15. The garment of claim 13 further comprising two legs attached to a distal portion of the body.

16. The garment of claim 13, wherein the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap each have a first side and a second side, the first sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a first fabric different than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment, and the second sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a second fabric different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment.

17. An apparel item comprising:

a trunk having a front side, a back side, a head slit, and a foot slit;

a first arm attached to the trunk near the head slit;

a second arm attached to the trunk near the head slit; and

a bottom overlay movably attached to the back side of the trunk, the bottom overlay convertible between a first position wherein the foot slit of the trunk is in an open position, and a second position wherein the foot slit of the trunk is in a closed position.

18. The apparel item of claim 17, wherein the first arm and the second arm each further comprise a front side and a back side, the apparel item further comprising:

a first arm overlay movably attached to the back side of the first arm, the first arm overlay convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the first arm is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the first arm is in a closed position; and

a second arm overlay movably attached to the back side of the second arm, the second arm overlay convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the second arm is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the second arm is in a closed position.

19. The apparel item of claim 18, wherein the first arm overlay and the second arm overlay each have a first side and a second side, the first sides of the first arm overlay and the second arm overlay are each formed from a first textile different than a textile used to form the rest of the apparel item, and the second sides of the first arm overlay and the second arm overlay are each formed from a second textile different than the textile used to form the rest of the apparel item.

20. The apparel item of claim 18, further comprising means for removably attaching the bottom overlay to the front side of the trunk when the bottom overlay is in the second position.

21. The apparel item of claim 18, further comprising a placket in approximately the middle of the front side of the trunk, the placket including means for detachably closing the placket.