Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Clothing Layering

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising an upper-body garment and a pouch. The upper-body garment comprises a releasably coupleable back panel, a first side zipper, and/or a second side zipper. The back panel is releasably coupled to the upper-body garment via the first zipper and the second zipper.

Claims

1. A system comprising: an upper-body garment, the upper-body garment comprising: a back panel, the back panel releasably coupleable to the upper-body garment via a first zipper, a second zipper, and a strip comprising fasteners, the first zipper coupleable to a first side of the back panel, the second zipper coupleable to a second side of the back panel, the strip coupled to a top edge of the back panel; a first side zipper, the first side zipper disposed on a portion of the upper body garment adjacent to a side of an abdomen of a user when the upper body garment is worn by the user; a second side zipper, the first side zipper and the second side zipper constructed to, when unzipped, allow the user to fold a panel of the upper body garment upward to be adjacent to a primary portion of the upper body garment; and a pouch, the pouch constructed to house the back panel when the back panel is decoupled from the upper-body garment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the upper-body garment comprises an under-structure that retains a shape of the upper-body garment when the back panel is decoupled from the upper-body garment and, thereby, keeps sides of the upper-body garment from flapping.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein: the fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein: the strip comprises a snap.

5. A method comprising: releasably coupling a back panel to an upper-body garment, the back panel coupled to the upper-body garment via a first zipper, a second zipper, and a strip comprising fasteners, the first zipper coupled to a first side of the back panel, the second zipper coupled to a second side of the back panel, the fasteners comprise hook and loop fasteners coupled to a top edge of the back panel.

6. A system comprising: an upper-body garment, the upper-body garment comprising: a first side zipper, the first side zipper disposed on a portion of the upper body garment adjacent to a side of an abdomen of a user when the upper body garment is worn by the user; and a second side zipper, the first side zipper and the second side zipper constructed to, when unzipped, allow the user to fold a panel of the upper body garment upward to be adjacent to a primary portion of the upper body garment, the panel foldable independent of a back portion of the upper-body garment.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising an upper-body garment and a pouch. The upper-body garment comprises a releasably coupleable back panel, a first side zipper, and/or a second side zipper. The back panel is releasably coupled to the upper-body garment via the first zipper and the second zipper.

[0016] Backoffs (i.e., removable backs on upper-body garments—e.g., vests, jackets and/or sweaters) allow differential adjustment of garment layers on the back (independent of the front) so as to reduce excessive sweating and, consequently, soaking of a back of the upper-body garment. Primary applications comprise cool or cold weather participation in vigorous, unidirectional sports such as biking, running, skiing, and/or backpacking, when less warmth is needed on the back then on the front, and/or anytime a backpack is carried in cool/cold weather.

[0017] HipZips (i.e., zippers on either side of an upper-body garment that can be unzipped to create a flap—e.g., on vest, jacket and/or sweater fronts) are a feature of certain exemplary embodiments, which allow a bottom front of the upper-body garment (e.g., the lower portion that would ordinarily cover the front of a backpack's hip belt) to be lifted up, independent of the back, so that a hip belt of a backpack can be cinched smoothly underneath any layers of outerwear. This can be accomplished through any mechanism that allows easy separating of the lower six-to-eight inches of the front of the upper-body garment from the back (e.g., zippers, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps on each side extending up six-to-eight inches from the lower border).

[0018] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000, which comprises an upper-body garment 1100 (such as a vest, jacket or sweater). While the illustrated embodiment shows a sleeveless upper-body garment 1100, other embodiments can comprise sleeves.

[0019] System 1000 comprises a pouch 1200. Pouch 1200 is constructed to house a back panel (see, e.g., back panel 1500 of FIG. 2) when the back panel is decoupled from upper-body garment 1100. Pouch 1200 is releasably coupleable to upper-body garment 1100 via a hook 1300 and a snappable loop 1400. Pouch 1200 can be coupled to any of a plurality of snappable loops that might be comprised by system 1000. Sizing of pouch 1200 can vary depending upon sizing and construction of upper-body garment 1100. Pouch 1200 is sized to accommodate a rolled or folded back panel of upper-body garment 1100. For example, thicker insulation of upper-body garment 1100 will result in a larger size of pouch 1200.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a rear view of system 1000. Upper-body garment 1100 comprises a releasably coupleable back panel 1500. Some sort of minimal, sheer, breathable under-structure 1600 (e.g., mesh or elastic strips) is left behind to retain a shape of upper-body garment 1100 and keep sides from flapping.

[0021] Upper-body garment 1100 comprises a releasably coupleable back panel 1500. Back panel 1500 is releasably coupled to upper-body garment 1100 via a first zipper 1520, a second zipper 1540, and a strip 1560. Strip 1560 can comprise one or more fasteners. For example, strip 1560 can comprise hook and loop fasteners and/or one or more snaps that are coupled to a top edge 1550 of back panel 1500. Strip 1560 is coupleable to a mating strip 1620. Mating strip 1620 can comprise fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners and/or one or more snaps. First zipper 1520 is coupled to a first side 1510 of back panel 1500. Second zipper 1540 is coupled to a second side 1530 of back panel 1500.

[0022] Upper-body garment 1100 comprises under-structure 1600. Under-structure 1600 retains a shape of upper-body garment 1100 when back panel 1500 is decoupled from upper-body garment 1100. Under-structure 1600 keeps sides of upper-body garment 1100 from flapping after back panel 1500 is decoupled from upper-body garment 1100.

[0023] In certain exemplary embodiments, under-structure 1600 can comprise mesh as illustrated. In other exemplary embodiments, under-structure 1600 can comprise one or more brace strips 1640.

[0024] Upper-body garment 1100 can comprise any of various materials. Appropriate materials are any that are fitting for cool-weather or cold-weather energy-intensive sports, especially those that are unidirectional, and/or involve carrying a backpack.

[0025] How to couple easily removable/re-attachable back panel 1500 to upper-body garment 1100 can be done in various ways. Zippers, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro is a registered trademark of Velcro IP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company), snaps, or any other fasteners which can achieve a goal of easy on-and-off may be used.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 3000, which illustrates an upper-body garment 3100 with a back thereof having been removed. In the illustrated embodiment, upper-body garment 3100 comprises a mesh under-structure 3200. Mesh under-structure 3200 keeps sides 3300 of upper-body garment 3100 from flapping the back panel (see, e.g., back panel 1500 of FIG. 2) is decoupled from upper-body garment 3100.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 4000, which illustrates an upper-body garment 4100 with a back thereof having been removed. In the illustrated embodiment, upper-body garment 4100 comprises an under-structure 4200 that comprises a set of brace strips 4220. In certain exemplary embodiments, the brace strips can comprise a fabric and/or elastic material. Set of brace strips 4220 keeps sides 3300 of upper-body garment 3100 from flapping the back panel (see, e.g., back panel 1500 of FIG. 2) is decoupled from upper-body garment 3100

[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view of system 1000, which comprises a first side zipper 1800. First side zipper 1800 is disposed on a portion of upper-body garment 1100 adjacent to a side of the abdomen of a user when upper-body garment 1100 is worn by the user. System 1000 comprises a second side zipper (see, e.g., second side zipper 6950 of FIG. 10). First side zipper 1800 and the second side zipper are constructed to, when unzipped, allow the user to fold a panel 1700 of upper-body garment 1100 upward to be adjacent to a primary portion 1150 of upper-body garment 1100. Such folding of panel 1700 allows a user to fasten a waist support for a backpack adjacent to an abdomen of the user after which panel 1700 can be folded back down over the waist support.

[0029] Panel 1700 of upper-body garment 1100 can be raised up, independent of primary portion 1150 of upper-body garment 1100. Panel 1700 is raised without complete detachment from upper-body garment 1100.

[0030] Panel 1700 of upper-body garment 1100 is liftable. Each opposing side of upper-body garment 1100 can be partially separable via one or more of a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or any other fastener capable of allowing panel 1700 to be lifted away from upper-body garment 1100. Someone wearing a backpack can lift panel 1700 to fasten a hip-belt of the backpack.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a frontal view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 6000, which comprises an upper-body garment 6100 and a backpack 6200. As illustrated, a hip-belt 6220 of backpack 6200 is unfastened. When a user desires to couple hip-belt 6220 of backpack 6200, the user can do so under a front panel of upper-body garment 6100 via the HipZips comprised by system 6000.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a frontal view of system 6000, which illustrates upper-body garment 6100 with a panel 6120 of upper-body garment 6100 raised. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a first side zipper 6900 and a second side zipper 6950 of upper-body garment 6100 have been unzipped to allow a panel 6120 to be raised and/or folded prior to fastening hip-belt 6220 of backpack 6200.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of system 6000, which illustrates a user positioning hip-belt 6220 of backpack 6200 under panel 6120 of upper-body garment 6100 for fastening.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of system 6000, which illustrates the user drawing hip-belt 6220 of backpack 6200 under panel 6120 of upper-body garment 6100 for fastening.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of system 6000, which illustrates the user having fastened hip-belt 6220 of backpack 6200 under panel 6120 of upper-body garment 6100 for fastening. In FIG. 10, first side zipper 6900 and a second side zipper 6950 remain unzipped and panel 6120 raised relative to a remainder of upper-body garment 6100.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of system 6000, which illustrates an appearance of upper-body garment 6100 after hip-belt 6220 of backpack 6200 has been fastened and panel 6120 lowered relative to a remainder of upper-body garment 6100. After lowering panel 6120 relative to a remainder of upper-body garment 6100, upper-body garment 6100 has, substantially, an appearance and function as if hip-belt 6220 of backpack 6200 had remained unfastened.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 12000. At activity 12100 an upper-body garment is made.

[0038] At activity 12200, a back panel is releasably coupled to the upper-body garment. The back panel is coupled to the upper-body garment via a first zipper, a second zipper, and a strip comprising fasteners. The strip comprises fasteners coupled to a top edge of the back panel. The fasteners can comprise hook and loop and/or snaps, etc. The first zipper is coupled to a first side of the removable back panel. The second zipper is coupled to a second side of the back panel.

[0039] At activity 12300, the back panel is decoupled from the upper-body garment.

[0040] At activity 12400, side zippers of the upper-body garment are unzipped.

[0041] At activity 12500, the panel is lifted.

[0042] At activity 12600, the panel is lowered and would cover any backpack hip-belt fastened underneath.

Definitions

[0043] When the following terms are used substantively herein, the accompanying definitions apply. These terms and definitions are presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefine these terms during the prosecution of this application or any application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, each definition (or redefined term if an original definition was amended during the prosecution of that patent), functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of that definition. [0044] a—at least one. [0045] abdomen—a part of a human body between a thorax and a pelvis of a human. [0046] activity—an action, act, step, and/or process or portion thereof [0047] adapter—a device used to effect operative compatibility between different parts of one or more pieces of an apparatus or system. [0048] adjacent—lying near to something else. [0049] and/or—either in conjunction with or in alternative to. [0050] apparatus—an appliance or device for a particular purpose. [0051] associate—to join, connect together, and/or relate. [0052] back—a portion of an article of clothing that is constructed to cover a rear part of a human body especially from a neck to an end of a spine of a human. [0053] can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments. [0054] comprising—including but not limited to. [0055] configure—to make suitable or fit for a specific use or situation. [0056] connect—to join or fasten together. [0057] constructed to—made to and/or designed to. [0058] convert—to transform, adapt, and/or change. [0059] couple—to link in some fashion. [0060] coupleable—capable of being joined, connected, and/or linked together. [0061] decouple—to unlink. [0062] define—to establish the outline, form, or structure of [0063] determine—to obtain, calculate, decide, deduce, and/or ascertain. [0064] device—a machine, manufacture, and/or collection thereof. [0065] disposed—something set in a particular place. [0066] edge—an outside limit of an object, area, or surface. [0067] fastener—one (or more) restraints that attach to, extend through, penetrate, and/or hold something. For example, a fastener can be one (or more) bolt and nut assembly, rivet, weldment, nail, screw, peg, staple, clip, buckle, clasp, clamp, hook and loop assembly, adhesive, and/or plastic push rivet, etc. [0068] flap— (n) a flat flexible piece; (v) to sway loosely. [0069] fold—to lay one part over or against another part. [0070] garment—an article of clothing. [0071] hook and loop fastener—a fastener that comprises two components: typically, two lineal fabric strips (or, alternatively, round “dots” or squares) which are attached (sewn or otherwise adhered) to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first component comprises tiny hooks, the second comprises smaller loops. When the two are pressed together the hooks catch in the loops and the two pieces fasten or bind temporarily. When separated, by pulling or peeling the two surfaces apart, the strips make a distinctive “ripping” sound. [0072] house—to enclose, cover, protect, and/or support. [0073] install—to connect or set in position and prepare for use. [0074] may—is allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some embodiments. [0075] method—a process, procedure, and/or collection of related activities for accomplishing something. [0076] panel—a flat piece of material made to form part of a surface. [0077] plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one. [0078] portion—a part of a whole. [0079] pouch—a bag in which something can be stored and transported. [0080] predetermined—established in advance. [0081] primary—a largest sized portion of a garment. [0082] project—to calculate, estimate, or predict. [0083] provide—to furnish, supply, give, and/or make available. [0084] receive—to get, take, acquire, and/or obtain. [0085] releasably—coupled so as to be substantially nondestructibly removable. [0086] removable—capable of being taken away from a place or position occupied. [0087] remove—to take something from a coupled location. [0088] request—to express a desire for and/or ask for. [0089] retain—to maintain or keep. [0090] set—a related plurality. [0091] shape—a spatial form. [0092] side—a bounding surface of an object. [0093] snap—a fastener that is opened, closed, and/or fit together with a click. [0094] store—to place, hold, and/or retain. [0095] strip—a long narrow piece of a material. [0096] substantially—to a great extent or degree. [0097] support—to bear the weight of, especially from below. [0098] system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles of manufacture, processes, data, and/or instructions, the collection designed to perform one or more specific functions. [0099] thereby—by that means. [0100] top—an uppermost portion of something when oriented in an installed position. [0101] transmit—to send as a signal, provide, furnish, and/or supply. [0102] under-structure—a portion of a garment that provides support to maintain a shape and spacing of an upper body garment when a back panel is removed from the upper body garment [0103] upper-body—a portion of a human body that is above a waist of a human. [0104] via—by way of and/or utilizing. [0105] worn—donned as an article of clothing. [0106] zipper—a fastener comprising two rows of teeth on strips of material and a sliding piece that closes an opening by drawing the two rows teeth together.

Note

[0107] Still other substantially and specifically practical and useful embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from reading the above-recited and/or herein-included detailed description and/or drawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the scope of this application.

[0108] Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise: [0109] there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements; [0110] no characteristic, function, activity, or element is “essential”; [0111] any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated; [0112] any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and [0113] any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.

[0114] Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.

[0115] When any claim element is followed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope. No claim of this application is intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC 112 unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.

[0116] Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.

[0117] Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.