阅读说明：本技术 可变换的背心和夹克系统 (Convertible vest and jacket system ) 是由 M.J-E.郭 于 2019-08-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文的各方面涉及一种可以从背心变换为夹克,并且可以从夹克变换为背心的服装。该服装包括具有近端和远端的袖子。每个袖子的近端的后侧部分邻近服装的袖子开口的后边缘永久地贴附到服装的躯干部分。并且每个袖子的近端的前侧部分邻近服装的袖子开口的前边缘能够释放地联接到躯干部分。该服装还可包括位于服装的躯干部分的后面的面向内的表面上的口袋。当为背心形式时,每个袖子的近端的前侧部分可以与袖子开口分离,并且袖子可以被收纳在口袋内。(Aspects herein relate to a garment that can be converted from a vest to a jacket, and vice versa. The garment includes a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end. A rear portion of the proximal end of each sleeve is permanently affixed to the torso portion of the garment adjacent a rear edge of the sleeve opening of the garment. And a front portion of the proximal end of each sleeve is releasably coupled to the torso portion adjacent a front edge of a sleeve opening of the garment. The garment may also include pockets on an inward facing surface located behind the torso portion of the garment. When in the form of a vest, a proximal, anterior portion of each sleeve may be separated from the sleeve opening, and the sleeves may be received in pockets.)

1. A convertible vest and jacket system comprising: in the first vest state: a torso portion having a front and a rear, the torso portion defining a neck opening, a waist opening, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening; a pocket on an inward facing surface of the rear face of the torso portion, the pocket extending across a vertical midline of the rear face of the torso portion; a first sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a first portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve being permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the first sleeve opening and a second portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve being unattached to the first sleeve opening; and a second sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a first portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the second sleeve opening and a second portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve unattached to the second sleeve opening, the first sleeve and the second sleeve each received within the pocket.

2. The convertible vest and jacket system of claim 1, wherein the pocket is located in the upper portion of the back of the torso portion.

3. The convertible vest and jacket system of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the pocket comprises a first pocket opening located on a first exterior side of the pocket, and wherein the pocket comprises a second pocket opening located on a second exterior side of the pocket.

4. A convertible vest and jacket system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which at least a portion of the pocket is formed from a mesh material.

5. The convertible vest and jacket system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a posterior portion of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

6. The convertible vest and jacket system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second portion of the proximal end of said each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a front portion of said each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

7. The convertible vest and jacket system of claim 6, wherein the front portion of said each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a releasable fastener.

8. The convertible vest and jacket system of claim 7, wherein the torso portion comprises a releasable fastener located near a front edge of each of the first and second sleeve openings, the releasable fastener located near the front edge of each of the first and second sleeve openings being complementary to the releasable fastener located at the front side portion of the proximal end of each of the first and second sleeves.

9. The convertible vest and jacket system of claim 8, wherein the releasable fastener located near the front edge of said each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening is located on the inward-facing surface of the torso portion.

10. A convertible vest and jacket system according to any one of claims 8 to 9 in which in the second jacket state: said each of said first sleeve and said second sleeve extending through said first sleeve opening and said second sleeve opening, respectively; and the releasable fastener at the anterior portion of the proximal end of each of the first and second sleeves releasably engages the releasable fastener near the anterior edge of each of the first and second sleeve openings, respectively.

11. A convertible vest and jacket system comprising: a torso portion having a front and a rear, the torso portion defining a neck opening, a waist opening, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening, each of the first and second sleeve openings including a front edge and a rear edge, each of the first and second sleeve openings including a releasable fastener located proximate the front edge of the each of the first and second sleeve openings; a pocket located on an inwardly facing surface of the rear face of the torso portion; a first sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a posterior portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve being permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the posterior edge of the first sleeve opening, a anterior portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve including a releasable fastener complementary to the releasable fastener located adjacent the anterior edge of the first sleeve opening; and a second sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a posterior portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve being permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the posterior edge of the second sleeve opening, a anterior portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve including a releasable fastener complementary to the releasable fastener located adjacent the anterior edge of the second sleeve opening.

12. The convertible vest and jacket system of claim 11, wherein the releasable fastener located near the front edge of said each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening is located on the inward-facing surface of the torso portion.

13. The convertible vest and jacket system according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the pocket extends across the vertical midline of the rear of the torso portion.

14. The convertible vest and jacket system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the pocket comprises a first pocket opening at a first exterior side of the pocket, and wherein the pocket comprises a second pocket opening at a second exterior side of the pocket.

15. The convertible vest and jacket system of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the pocket is operable to receive the first sleeve and the second sleeve when the convertible vest and jacket system is in a first vest state.

16. The convertible vest and jacket system of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the releasable fastener located near the front edge of said each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening comprises a female component of a snap system, and wherein the releasable fastener located at the front portion of the proximal end of said each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a male component of the snap system.

17. The convertible vest and jacket system of any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the releasable fastener located near the front edge of said each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening comprises a male component of a snap system, and wherein the releasable fastener located at the front side portion of the proximal end of said each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a female component of the snap system.

18. A method of using a convertible vest and jacket system, the method comprising: providing a vest, the vest comprising: a torso portion having a front and a rear, the torso portion defining a neck opening, a waist opening, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening; a pocket on an interior facing surface of the rear of the torso portion, a first sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a first portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the first sleeve opening, a second portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve unattached to the first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a first portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the second sleeve opening, a second portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve unattached to the second sleeve opening, wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are each received within the pocket; removing the first sleeve and the second sleeve from the pocket; inserting the distal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve through the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening, respectively; and releasably attaching the second portion of the proximal end of each of the first and second sleeves to the first and second sleeve openings, respectively, to form a jacket.

19. The method of using a convertible vest and jacket system according to claim 18, wherein said pocket comprises a first pocket opening on a first exterior side of said pocket, and wherein said pocket comprises a second pocket opening on a second exterior side of said pocket.

20. The method of using a convertible vest and jacket system according to claim 19, wherein the first pocket opening of the pocket is located adjacent to and inboard of the first sleeve opening, and wherein the second pocket opening of the pocket is located adjacent to and inboard of the second sleeve opening.

Technical Field

Aspects herein relate to a jacket that may be transformed into and from a vest.

Background

Conventional garments that can be converted from a vest to a jacket and vice versa, when converted from a jacket to a vest, typically require the wearer to awkwardly extend his or her arms from the sleeves. In addition, once the sleeves are removed, time consuming operations, such as rolling the sleeves, must be performed before the sleeves are retracted. Moreover, storage pockets for the removed sleeves are often located on the vest at locations that are uncomfortable for the wearer, interfere with the wearer's movement, and/or negatively impact the aesthetic appearance of the vest.

Drawings

Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

figure 1 illustrates a front view of an example convertible vest/jacket in a first vest state, in accordance with aspects herein;

figure 2 illustrates a rear view of the vest of figure 1, in accordance with aspects herein;

figure 3 illustrates a view of the vest of figure 1 with the front of the vest removed to better illustrate pockets on the rear, inward-facing surface of the vest, with sleeves received within the pockets, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the example convertible vest/jacket of fig. 1 in a second jacket state, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 5 illustrates a rear view of the jacket of fig. 4, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 6 illustrates an isolated front view of a sleeve for use in a convertible vest/jacket, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 7 illustrates a side view of an example convertible vest/jacket with a rear portion of the sleeves attached to a rear edge of the sleeve openings, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 8 illustrates a side view of an alternative example convertible vest/jacket with rear portions of the sleeves affixed to the inner pocket opening edges of the pockets, in accordance with aspects herein;

fig. 9-14 illustrate an example method of transforming a vest into a jacket according to aspects herein; and

fig. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of using the convertible vest and jacket system according to aspects herein.

Detailed Description

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step" and/or "block" may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.

At a high level, aspects herein relate to a convertible vest and jacket system. As used herein, the term "garment" may be used to more generally describe a convertible vest/jacket system. The garment includes features that enable the wearer to easily transition from a vest to a jacket, and from a jacket to a vest. Further, the garment described herein provides a convenient storage system for the sleeves to be removed so that the sleeves are stowed without affecting the wearer's movement and without negatively impacting the aesthetics of the garment.

In an exemplary aspect, a garment may include a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end. A rear portion of the proximal end of each sleeve may be permanently affixed to the torso portion of the garment adjacent a rear edge of the sleeve opening of the garment. And a proximal front portion of each sleeve may be releasably coupled to the torso portion adjacent a front edge of a sleeve opening of the garment. The garment may also include a pocket on an inward facing surface of the rear of the torso portion of the garment, wherein the pocket extends across a vertical midline of the rear. When the garment is in the form of a jacket, a front portion of each of the sleeves is releasably coupled to the torso portion adjacent a front edge of the sleeve opening such that the sleeves are secured to the torso portion of the garment and the wearer can put on the jacket by passing her arms through the sleeve openings and into the sleeves.

When the wearer wishes to transform the jacket into a vest, in an exemplary aspect, the wearer can remove the jacket, separate a front side portion of the proximal end of each sleeve from a torso portion adjacent a front edge of a sleeve opening of the garment, manipulate the distal ends of the sleeves inward through the sleeve openings, and receive both sleeves in pockets on an inward facing surface behind the torso portion of the garment. Since the posterior portion of the proximal end of each sleeve is permanently coupled to the torso portion of the garment, the sleeves remain coupled to the garment, which helps prevent accidental loss of the sleeves. Further, by positioning the pocket for receiving the sleeve on the rear, inward-facing surface of the torso portion, the stowed sleeve generally does not interfere with the wearer's movement or comfort and maintains the aesthetic characteristics of the garment (i.e., the stowed sleeve does not affect the contours of the front of the garment and is not visible when viewing the rear of the garment). In addition, using a single pocket to house the sleeves reduces manufacturing steps and costs as compared to multiple pockets, and helps make the garment lighter in weight.

Additionally, positional terms used herein to describe convertible vest and jacket systems, such as "front", "back", "upper", "proximal", "distal", "front", "rear", "lower", "bottom", "inwardly facing surface", "outwardly facing surface", and the like, are given their customary meaning with respect to appropriately sized upper body garments worn by a wearer standing in an upright position as intended and as shown and described herein. For example, the "front" of the garment is configured to cover the front torso region and/or front arm region of the wearer, and the "back" of the garment is configured to cover the back torso region and/or back arm region of the wearer. The term "about" as used herein means within ± 10% of the specified value. Terms such as "attached," "secured," "affixed," and the like may refer to elements that are releasably attached to one another using, for example, a snap system, a slider system, a hook and loop closure system, a releasable adhesive, a button, a hook, and the like. These terms may also refer to elements that are permanently attached to one another using, for example, stitching, adhesives, welding, and the like.

The term "mesh" or "net material" as used herein may refer to a textile having a plurality of closely spaced apertures. Aspects herein contemplate that the mesh material may be formed from a loosely knitted or woven textile, or the mesh material may be formed by perforating a textile in a post-weaving or post-knitting step to form the apertures. The term "first vest state" as used herein refers to the convertible vest and jacket system when the system is in the form of a vest (i.e., a sleeveless garment configured to primarily cover a torso portion of a wearer). And as used herein, the term "second jacket state" refers to convertible vests and jacket systems when the system is in the form of a jacket (i.e., a garment with sleeves). The term "releasable fastener system" as used herein refers to a fastener system that can be repeatedly coupled and decoupled to respectively secure or separate components from one another. Example releasable fastener systems can include buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, slider systems including zippers, and the like. In line with this, the term "complementary" when describing components of a releasable fastener system refers to components having structures that mechanically engage one another.

Turning now to fig. 1 and 2, front and rear views of a garment 100 in the form of a vest 101 according to aspects herein are shown. Vest 101 includes torso portion 110, torso portion 110 having a front face 112 as shown in figure 1 and a rear face 114 as shown in figure 2. Together, front face 112 and rear face 114 define a neck opening 116, a waist opening 118, a first sleeve opening 120, and a second sleeve opening 122. In an example aspect, the front 112 of the vest 101 includes a slider system 124, which slider system 124 can be used to releasably couple a first front half 126 and a second front half 128. Vest 101 may optionally include features such as a hood (not shown) that may be received in, for example, a collar portion of vest 101. The vest 101 may also optionally include additional features such as pockets and adjustment systems that enable, for example, adjustment of the circumference of the waist opening 118 and/or adjustment of the circumference of the distal sleeve opening.

With respect to first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122, each of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 includes a front edge 130 and a rear edge 132 (shown in fig. 1), with front edge 130 and rear edge 132 generally surrounding respective first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122. In other words, a front edge 130 of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 is generally formed by front face 112 of vest 101, and a rear edge 132 of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 is generally formed by rear face 114 of vest 101. In an exemplary aspect, the releasable fasteners 134 are located near the front edges 130 of the first and second sleeve openings 120, 122 (within about 1cm to about 8 cm), and the releasable fasteners 134 are located on the inward facing surface of the vest 101. Releasable fastener 134 may include, for example, a hook component of a hook and loop fastener system or a loop component of a hook and loop fastener system, a buttonhole or button, a female snap component or a male snap component (including a magnetic snap component), or the like. Continuing, in an exemplary aspect, there may be more than one releasable fastener 134 positioned adjacent to front edges 130 of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122. As shown in FIG. 1, in an exemplary aspect, a first releasable fastener 134 positioned toward an upper portion of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 and a second releasable fastener 134 positioned toward a lower portion of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 may be included. It is contemplated herein that the additional releasable fastener comprises a pull head system. Providing more than one releasable fastener 134 for each of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 may provide a more secure coupling of the sleeves of garment 100.

Fig. 3 illustrates additional features of the vest 101 of the garment 100 according to aspects herein. In fig. 3, the front 112 of the vest 101 is removed to provide a view of the inward facing surface 310 of the rear 114 of the torso portion 110. As will be referenced below, an imaginary vertical midline 312 is depicted which divides the posterior face 114 into approximately equal left and right halves, wherein the imaginary vertical midline 312 extends from approximately the center of the neck opening 116 to approximately the center of the waist opening 118.

In an exemplary aspect, the vest 101 includes a pocket 314 positioned on the inward-facing surface 310 of the posterior side 114, wherein the pocket 314 extends across the vertical midline 312. In an exemplary aspect, the pocket 314 may be positioned such that the vertical midline 312 bisects the pocket 314 into two substantially equal left and right halves. Further, in an exemplary aspect, the pocket 314 is positioned in the upper half of the rear face 114 of the torso portion 110. For example, the upper edge 316 of the pocket 314 may be positioned adjacent (about 0cm to about 10cm) the neck opening 116, and the lower edge 318 of the pocket 314 may be positioned about halfway (+ -about 20cm) between the neck opening 116 and the waist opening 118.

Continuing, in an exemplary aspect, the pocket 314 may be formed by positioning a material 320, such as a mesh material, adjacent the inward-facing surface 310 of the rear face 114 such that a single, continuous, uninterrupted pocket space is formed between the two layers, wherein the single, continuous, uninterrupted pocket space extends across the vertical centerline 312. The use of a mesh material may aid in the comfort of the wearer by promoting air movement between the pocket space and, for example, the wearer's body. Moreover, the use of a mesh material may help reduce the weight of the garment 100. In an exemplary aspect, the material 320 may be attached to the inward facing surface 310 of the rear face 114 at least at its upper edge 316 and its lower edge 318. It may also be attached along a portion of its side edges as shown in fig. 3. Pocket 314 may include a first pocket opening 322 positioned on a first exterior side of pocket 314, and pocket 314 may include a second pocket opening 324 positioned on a second exterior side of pocket 314. In an exemplary aspect, each of the first and second pocket openings 322, 324 can include an inner pocket opening edge 330 and an outer pocket opening edge. Inner pocket opening edge 330 may be formed from material 320, and outer pocket opening edge may include rear edge 132 of each of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122. Together, inner pocket opening edge 330 and rear edge 132 of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 surround or define first pocket opening 322 and second pocket opening 324. Because rear edges 132 of first and second sleeve openings 120, 122 form exterior pocket opening edges, first and second pocket openings 322, 324 are located adjacent to and inboard of first and second sleeve openings 120, 122 (e.g., within about 0cm to about 10cm of first and second sleeve openings 120, 122). With continued reference to fig. 3, when the garment 100 is in the form of a vest 101, the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328 of the garment 100 are received within the pocket 314 (the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328 are shown in phantom to indicate that they are located inside the material 320).

The use of a single pocket to receive first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 reduces the number of manufacturing steps used to manufacture garment 100. Also, positioning the pocket 314 in the upper half of the inwardly facing surface 310 of the rear face 114 of the torso portion 110 helps to maintain the aesthetic contours of, for example, the front 112 and rear 114 of the vest 101. That is, by receiving the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328 as shown, the contour of the front face 112 of the vest 101 is unchanged, and the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328 are not visible when viewing the back face 114 of the vest 101. Also, by positioning pocket 314 as shown, arm movement of the wearer is generally unimpeded when first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 are stowed. Another advantage of pocket 314 is that first pocket opening 322 and second pocket opening 324 are positioned adjacent first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 to facilitate easy storage of first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328, as further described below. Additional features of first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 will be discussed after describing garment 100 as being in the form of a jacket.

Fig. 4 and 5 depict a garment 100 in the form of a jacket 102 in accordance with aspects herein. The jacket 102 includes the torso portion 110 of the vest 101, but also includes a first sleeve 326 and a second sleeve 328. Each of first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 includes a proximal end 410 and a distal end 412. As used herein, the term "proximal" may include a distal proximal edge of each of first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328, and may further include an area adjacent the distal proximal edge (within about 10cm of the distal proximal edge). As used herein, the term "distal end" may include the terminal distal edges (i.e., cuff edges) of first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328, and may further include a region adjacent the terminal distal edges (within about 10cm of the terminal distal edges). The proximal ends 410 of the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328 include a forward portion or section 414 shown in fig. 4 and a rearward portion or section 416 shown in fig. 5. With respect to the front portion 414 of the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328, the front portion 414 includes a material extension 418 (shown in phantom to indicate that it is generally positioned inside the garment 100 and is therefore hidden from view). This aspect is shown in more detail in fig. 6, which fig. 6 illustrates an isolated view of the first sleeve 326 including a front portion 414 having an extension of material 418. The discussion of figure 6 applies equally to the second sleeve 328.

With continued reference to fig. 6, material extension 418 represents an medially extending extension of proximal end 410 of first sleeve 326 on a front or anterior side of first sleeve 326. It may comprise an integrally knitted or woven extension of the corresponding knitted or woven textile used to form first sleeve 326, or it may comprise a separate panel element that is attached to first sleeve 326 using known attachment techniques. In an exemplary aspect, the outer peripheral edge of the material extension 418 includes a generally arcuate shape. A releasable fastener 610 is positioned on the outward facing surface of material extension 418, where releasable fastener 610 is complementary to releasable fastener 134 located on inward facing surface 310 of torso portion 110 adjacent first sleeve opening 120. Thus, in an exemplary aspect, the releasable fastener 610 may comprise a hook or loop component of a hook and loop fastener system that is complementary to the releasable fastener 134, a buttonhole or button that is complementary to the releasable fastener 134, a female or male snap component that is complementary to the releasable fastener 134, or the like. In an exemplary aspect, the number of releasable fasteners 610 on the material extension 418 can be the same as the number of releasable fasteners 134. Engagement of the releasable fastener 610 with the releasable fastener 134 releasably attaches the proximal end of the first sleeve 326 to the torso portion 110 of the garment 100.

With respect to the posterior portion 416 of the proximal end 410 of the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328, it is contemplated herein that, in one exemplary aspect, the posterior portion 416 of the proximal end 410 is permanently affixed to the posterior edge 132 of the first sleeve opening 120 and the second sleeve opening 122, respectively, using an attachment technique such as stitching, adhesive, welding, or the like. This is illustrated in fig. 7, which fig. 7 depicts a side view of an example convertible vest jacket 701, and in particular illustrates the second sleeve opening 122. The following description also applies to first sleeve opening 120. Second sleeve opening 122 is formed by a front edge 130 and a rear edge 132 of second sleeve opening 122. The inner pocket opening edge 330 and the pocket space (now labeled with reference number 711) formed between the material 320 and the inward facing surface 310 of the rear face 114 of the torso portion 110 are also visible. A rear portion 416 of the second sleeve 328 is shown attached to the rear edge 132 of the second sleeve opening 122 by, for example, stitching.

In an alternative exemplary aspect, it is contemplated herein that a posterior portion 416 of a proximal end 410 of first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 is permanently affixed to an interior pocket opening edge 330 of pocket 314, which interior pocket opening edge 330 is opposite a posterior edge 132 of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122. This is illustrated in fig. 8, which fig. 8 depicts a side view of an example convertible vest jacket 801, and in particular illustrates the second sleeve opening 122. The following description also applies to first sleeve opening 120. As described above, second sleeve opening 122 is formed by front edge 130 and back edge 132 of second sleeve opening 122. Fig. 8 also shows the inner pocket opening edge 330 and the pocket space 711. The back portion 416 of the second sleeve 328 is shown attached to the inner pocket opening edge 330 of the pocket 314. In this regard, it is contemplated herein that the rear edge 132 of the second sleeve opening 122 may be releasably affixed (e.g., using a hook and loop fastener system, snaps, buttons, etc.) to the inner pocket opening edge 330 to effectively prevent an open communication path between the pocket space 711 and the external environment. However, it is also contemplated herein that rear edge 132 of second sleeve opening 122 may remain separate from or unattached to inner pocket opening edge 330. By providing a permanent attachment between a posterior portion 416 of proximal end 410 of each of first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 and a posterior edge 132 of first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122 or an interior pocket opening edge 330 of pocket 314, first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 may be prevented from being accidentally lost when removed.

Fig. 9-14 illustrate example methods of transforming a garment 100 from a vest 101 into a jacket 102, according to aspects herein. Fig. 9 illustrates a front view of a wearer 910 wearing the garment 100 when the garment 100 is in the form of a vest 101, and fig. 10 illustrates a rear view of the wearer 910 wearing the vest 101. As shown in fig. 9, the front 112 of the vest 101 is aesthetically contoured similar to a conventional vest. That is, because the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328 are received in the pocket 314 positioned on the inward facing surface 310 of the rear face 114 of the torso portion 110, the received first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 do not affect the contour of the front face 112 of the vest 101. With respect to the rear view of fig. 10, because the pocket 314 is positioned at an upper portion of the rear face 114 of the torso portion 110, the stowed first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 are located in the space between the scapulae of the wearer. Positioning first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 in this position generally prevents first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 from interfering with the movement of the wearer. Additionally, because pocket 314 is positioned on inward-facing surface 310 of posterior face 114, first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 are not visible when garment 100 is viewed from the posterior.

Figure 11 illustrates vest 101 after wearer 910 has taken off. Once removed, the first front half 126 and the second front half 128 may be pulled apart as shown to expose a pocket 314 positioned on the inward facing surface 310 of the rear face 114 of the torso portion 110, wherein the pocket 314 includes a stowed first sleeve 326 and a second sleeve 328. Fig. 12 illustrates a wearer 910 reaching for the first pocket opening 322 and the second pocket opening 324 to retract, for example, the distal end 412 of each of the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328. Fig. 13 illustrates a wearer 910 withdrawing distal end 412 of each of first sleeve 326 and second sleeve 328 from pocket 314 and pulling distal end 412 through first sleeve opening 120 and second sleeve opening 122, respectively.

With respect to fig. 14, a wearer 910 is shown applying releasable fasteners 610 positioned on material extensions 418 of the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328 to releasable fasteners 134 positioned on an inward facing surface 310 of the torso portion 110, thereby releasably securing the first sleeve 326 and the second sleeve 328 to the torso portion 110 to form the jacket 102. The transformation of the jacket 102 into the vest 101 would involve the reverse order of steps.

Fig. 15 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 1500 of using the convertible vest and jacket system described herein, according to aspects herein. At step 1510, a vest, such as vest 101, is provided, wherein the vest comprises a torso portion having a front and a back, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening. The vest also includes a pocket on the rear, inward-facing surface of the torso portion, wherein the pocket includes a first pocket opening positioned adjacent and inboard of the first sleeve opening and a second pocket opening positioned adjacent and inboard of the second sleeve opening. In addition, the vest includes a first sleeve and a second sleeve, each sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end. A posterior portion of a proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve is permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent a posterior edge of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening, respectively (i.e., within about 0cm to about 10cm of the sleeve opening). And a front portion of the proximal end of each of the first and second sleeves is unattached or detached from a front edge of the first and second sleeve openings, respectively. The first sleeve and the second sleeve are both received within the pocket.

At step 1512, the first sleeve and the second sleeve are removed from the pocket using the first pocket opening for the first sleeve and the second pocket opening for the second sleeve. At step 1514, a distal end of each of the first and second sleeves is inserted through the first and second sleeve openings, respectively (i.e., from an interior of the sleeve opening to an exterior of the sleeve opening), and each of the first and second sleeves extends through the opening. At step 1516, a front portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve is releasably affixed or secured to the torso portion adjacent to a front edge of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening (i.e., within about 0cm to about 10cm of the sleeve opening) to form a jacket.

The following clauses represent exemplary aspects of the concepts contemplated herein. Any of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses expressly dependent on previous clauses) may be combined within the scope remaining the contemplated aspects herein. The following clauses are examples and not limitations.

Clause 1. a convertible vest and jacket system comprising:

in the first vest state:

a torso portion having a front and a rear, the torso portion defining a neck opening, a waist opening, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening;

a pocket on an inward facing surface of the rear face of the torso portion, the pocket extending across a vertical midline of the rear face of the torso portion;

a first sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a first portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve being permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the first sleeve opening and a second portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve being unattached to the first sleeve opening; and

a second sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a first portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the second sleeve opening and a second portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve unattached to the second sleeve opening, the first sleeve and the second sleeve each received within the pocket.

Clause 2. the convertible vest and jacket system of clause 1, wherein the pocket is located in the rear, upper portion of the torso portion.

Clause 3. the convertible vest and jacket system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pocket comprises a first pocket opening located on a first exterior side of the pocket, and wherein the pocket comprises a second pocket opening located on a second exterior side of the pocket.

Clause 4. the convertible vest and jacket system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least a portion of the pocket is formed from a mesh material.

Clause 5. the convertible vest and jacket system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the first portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a posterior portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

Item 6. the convertible vest and jacket system of any one of the preceding items, wherein the second portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a front portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

Clause 7. the convertible vest and jacket system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the front side portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a releasable fastener.

Clause 8. the convertible vest and jacket system of any preceding clause, wherein the torso portion comprises a releasable fastener located near a front edge of each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening. The releasable fastener located near the front edge of each of the first and second sleeve openings is complementary to the releasable fastener located at the front portion of the proximal end of each of the first and second sleeves.

Clause 9. the convertible vest and jacket system of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the releasable fastener located near the front edge of each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening is located on an inward facing surface of the torso portion.

Clause 10. the convertible vest and jacket system of any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in the second jacket state:

each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve extends through the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening, respectively; and is

The releasable fastener at the anterior portion of the proximal end of each of the first and second sleeves releasably engages the releasable fastener near the anterior edge of each of the first and second sleeve openings, respectively.

Clause 11. a convertible vest and jacket system, comprising:

a torso portion having a front and a rear, the torso portion defining a neck opening, a waist opening, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening, each of the first and second sleeve openings including a front edge and a rear edge, each of the first and second sleeve openings including a releasable fastener located proximate the front edge of each of the first and second sleeve openings;

a pocket located on an inwardly facing surface of the rear face of the torso portion;

a first sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a posterior portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve being permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the posterior edge of the first sleeve opening, a anterior portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve including a releasable fastener complementary to the releasable fastener located adjacent the anterior edge of the first sleeve opening; and

a second sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a posterior portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the posterior edge of the second sleeve opening, a anterior portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve including a releasable fastener complementary to the releasable fastener located adjacent the anterior edge of the second sleeve opening.

Clause 12 the convertible vest and jacket system of clause 11, wherein the releasable fastener located near the front edge of each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening is located on an inward facing surface of the torso portion.

Clause 13. the convertible vest and jacket system of any of clauses 11-12, wherein the pocket extends across a vertical midline of the rear face of the torso portion.

Clause 14 the convertible vest and jacket system of any of clauses 11-13, wherein the pocket comprises a first pocket opening located at a first exterior side of the pocket, and wherein the pocket comprises a second pocket opening located at a second exterior side of the pocket.

Clause 15 the convertible vest and jacket system of any of clauses 11-14, wherein the pocket is operable to receive the first sleeve and the second sleeve when the convertible vest and jacket system is in a first vest state.

Clause 16. the convertible vest and jacket system of any of clauses 11-15, wherein the releasable fastener located near the front edge of each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening comprises a male component of a snap system, and wherein the releasable fastener located at the front side portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a female component of the snap system.

Clause 17. the convertible vest and jacket system of any of clauses 11-15, wherein the releasable fastener located near the front edge of each of the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening comprises a female component of a snap system, and wherein the releasable fastener located at the front portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a male component of the snap system.

Clause 18. a method of using a convertible vest and jacket system, the method comprising:

providing a vest, the vest comprising:

a torso portion having a front and a rear, the torso portion defining a neck opening, a waist opening, a first sleeve opening, and a second sleeve opening,

a pocket located on an inwardly facing surface of the rear face of the torso portion,

a first sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a first portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the first sleeve opening, a second portion of the proximal end of the first sleeve unattached to the first sleeve opening, and

a second sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, a first portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve permanently affixed to the torso portion adjacent the second sleeve opening, a second portion of the proximal end of the second sleeve unattached to the second sleeve opening, wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve are received within the pocket;

removing the first sleeve and the second sleeve from the pocket;

inserting the distal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve through the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening, respectively; and

releasably attaching the second portion of the proximal end of each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve to the first sleeve opening and the second sleeve opening, respectively, to form a jacket.

Clause 19. the method of using the convertible vest and jacket system of clause 18, wherein the pocket comprises a first pocket opening on a first exterior side of the pocket, and wherein the pocket comprises a second pocket opening on a second exterior side of the pocket.

Clause 20. the method of using the convertible vest and jacket system of any of clauses 18-19, wherein the first pocket opening of the pocket is located adjacent to and inboard of the first sleeve opening, and wherein the second pocket opening of the pocket is located adjacent to and inboard of the second sleeve opening.

Various aspects of the disclosure have been described, which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope thereof. Alternative means of accomplishing the above improvements may be developed by the skilled artisan without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in all figures need be performed in the particular order described.