US20090007308A1

US20090007308A1 - Multi purpose clothing protector

Info

Publication number: US20090007308A1
Application number: US11/825,360
Authority: US
Inventors: Kimberly Ann McKay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-07
Filing date: 2007-07-07
Publication date: 2009-01-08

Abstract

A clothing protector garment, preferably, includes clip(s) attachable to the garment allowing one to secure to various locations on the clothed body. The clips will be positioned at various locations on the garment allowing one to secure the garment to any place desired on ones clothing to protect clothing from spills, drips, drool, etc. The triangular shaped multi purpose clothing protector can be extended for more coverage. It is not limited to the triangular shape as it can be produced in any shape desired.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the protection of clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been noticed that towards the middle/end of the 2^ndtrimester of pregnancy, women find that their belly is really protruding. The growing belly makes it difficult to walk away from a meal without finding a stain on one's clothing (shirt). Some women try to manage keeping a napkin on their belly but it is difficult as the napkin is made for the lap not the belly, which is a round/oval surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The special designed clothing protector is unique because it has clips, permanently attached, at optimal locations, allowing one to easily secure the clothing protector to any location on the clothed body to limit spills, drips, spit-up, etc. on clothing. The invention (clothing protector) will solve the problem as it will easily allow a pregnant woman to clip the specially designed clothing protector to an area, designated by the pregnant woman, to limit exposure of clothing to spills and drips. The clips will be covered by either fabric or some type of rubberized coating to prevent snags on clothing. The permanent clips are unique as they are not obtrusive or bulky and allow one to secure to the front of the collar without any annoying overlapping fabric.
The invention is not limited to use only by pregnant women. This invention can be used by any male or female in any age group. Two age groups that this invention can benefit most are toddlers (ages 2-5) and senior citizens primarily over the age of 70.
Toddlers are always on the move and they are at the stage where they know they are not babies, but they are still not old enough to fully control the amount of food that makes it into their mouth versus the amount of food that makes it onto their clothes. At this stage, many parents try to tuck a napkin in the collar of the child's shirt. The napkin almost always falls out and/or the child does not like the feeling of the tucked in item so they pull it off. Also at this stage, many parents struggle with their child wearing a bib and keeping it on them. Various reasons result in a bib fastened around the neck being un-useful these include:

- 1. A bib is associated with a baby so many parents don't put them on their toddlers.
- 2. The majority of toddlers do not like having anything around their neck so they pull off the bib as soon as the parent puts it on.
- 3. Now that the child is most likely sitting in a booster seat, the bib does not cover the lap so it is not as useful to the parent as it was when their child was a baby.

This invention (clothing protector) is not a bib and it does not fit around the neck. It attaches easily to ones clothing so the toddler does not even know it is there. It attaches easily to ones clothing and will stay on when the toddler is out and about. The extended clothing protector resembling a top triangular portion and a bottom square portion covers the chest, belly and lap. Therefore, all of the features of the clothing protector will solve the problem of protecting clothing while taking the stigma away of wearing a bib.
It has been noticed as people age their motor skills start to decline. Therefore, many senior citizens find it difficult to keep their clothes clean from food spills at meal time. They typically tuck a napkin in the collar of their shirt or use something called a napkin holder which is basically a cord with two clips on either end. The napkin holder goes around the neck and the napkin is clipped on. Usually, the napkin that is tucked into the collar falls out and the napkin holder is cumbersome to put on. This invention solves both of those issues. The permanent clip(s) prevent the special designed clothing protector from falling off and it is easy to open the clips and attach to ones clothing.
This is a unique product as the clips are permanent, it is 100% machine washable, nothing needs to be tied or secured around the neck or waist and it can be used by any gender in any age group. For the people or senior citizens that can't take care of themselves the care givers will have a much easier time using this clothing protector to protect the patients' clothes as compared to a napkin, bib or apron. The simple fact is that it is that the extended size fits all, they won't have to struggle with tying something around the patients neck or waist, or having a napkin fall out of place.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the detachable multi-purpose clothing protector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is the back plan view of the detachable multi-purpose clothing protector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the extended exemplary embodiment of the detachable multi-purpose clothing protector of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a back plan view of the extended detachable multi-purpose clothing protector of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the multi-purpose clothing protector of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a partial back plan view of the multi-purpose clothing protector of FIGS. 2 and 4.

FIG. 7 shows the multi-purpose clothing protector being used in its original plan view on a person's body.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the multi-purpose clothing protector in an extended form, shown worn by a woman during pregnancy in its extended plan view.

FIG. 9 shows the multi-purpose clothing protector being used during pregnancy in its original plan view.

FIG. 10 shows the multi-purpose clothing protector being used on a toddler or young child in its original plan view.

FIG. 11 shows the multi-purpose clothing protector being used on a toddler or young child in its extended plan view.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an embodiment of a possible clip that can be attached to the clothing protector so that the clothing protector can be attached to an individual's clothing.

FIG. 13 is a back view of an embodiment of a possible clip that can be attached to the clothing protector so that the clothing protector can be attached to an individual's clothing.

FIG. 14 is a front view of another embodiment of a possible clip that can be attached to the clothing protector so that the clothing protector can be attached to an individual's clothing.

FIG. 15 is a back view of another embodiment of a possible clip that can be attached to the clothing protector so that the clothing protector can be attached to an individual's clothing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a clothing protector 12 wherein a tapered top portion 1 fits under the neck of a person preferably but could be placed anywhere on a garment. The bottom portion 2 extends out from the top to cover a wider portion of the exposed garment. This aligns with the optimal spill portion of the body widening as it extends down from the neck to cover more of the optimal spill area. FIG. 2 is a back view whereon the fabric covered fastener's positions can be seen 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 3 is a front view 13 of a variation of the shape of the clothing protector wherein the wide portion 2 is extended straight down to lengthen the protection area 6. FIG. 4 is a back view whereon the fabric covered fastener's position can be seen 7, 8, 9. FIG. 5 shows the side view of the clothing protector in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the two layers 10 and 11 that make up the front and the back can be seen. These layers can be a made of either absorbent or non absorbent material. A mix of absorbent and nonabsorbent materials may be used in the front and back. FIG. 6 shows a closeup of the fastener portion of the clothing protector 12 wherein it can be seen that the fastener is covered by fabric to prevent snagging. FIGS. 7 through 11 show positioning of the clothing protector's two different embodiments on various types of bodies. FIGS. 12-15 show the front and back views of two types of intended fasteners. Other types may be used. The fasteners have a spring lift action that lifts to release the garment and snaps close to hold onto the garment.
It can be seen from the preceding description that a multi-purpose clothing protector has been provided.
It is noted that the embodiment of the multi-purpose clothing protector described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

1-3. (canceled)

4. A clothing protector comprising:

a flexible protector including a protector surface and a rear clothing facing surface, said protector surface having a protection region having a protection perimeter and including an upper region and a lower region, the upper region having a smaller width than said lower region; and

a connection means for connecting said flexible protector to clothing and including a plurality of fasteners fixed to said flexible protector rear clothing facing surface, said fasteners defining a sole connection of the flexible protector to an article of clothing in a region opposite said protector surface and within said protection perimeter, said fasteners including engagement surfaces for temporarily fixing said flexible protector to the clothing in a region of the clothing within said protection perimeter and overlayed by said flexible protector, whereby the user can position the flexible protector surface at a location relative to the clothing and fix the protector surface to the clothing for protection of the clothing.

5. A clothing protector according to claim 4, wherein said protector surface of said flexible protector comprises a front surface material and said rear clothing facing surface comprises a rear surface material comprising a liquid absorbent material.

6. A clothing protector according to claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of fasteners comprise a clip with a first clamping member and a second clamping member biased into a closed position, said first clamping member being fixed to said rear clothing facing surface and said second clamping member being movable relative to said first clamping member.

7. A clothing protector comprising:

a flexible protector including a protector surface and a rear clothing facing surface, said protector surface having a protection region having a protection perimeter; and

a connection means for connecting said flexible protector to clothing such that said protection region covers a protected region of the clothing with said connection means contacting the clothing only in said protected region for holding said flexible protector to said clothing, said connection means including a plurality of fasteners defining a sole connection of the flexible protector to the clothing and being only positioned in a region opposite said protector surface and within said protection perimeter for positioning the flexible protector surface at a location relative to the clothing and for fixing the protector surface to the clothing for protection of the clothing without said fasteners being visible from a side of said protector surface.

8. A clothing protector according to claim 7, wherein said protector surface of said flexible protector comprises a front surface material and said rear clothing facing surface comprises a rear surface material comprising liquid absorbent material.

9. A clothing protector according to claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of fasteners comprise a clip with a first and a second clamping members biased into a closed position, said first clamping member being fixed to said rear clothing facing surface and said second clamping member being movable relative to said first clamping member.

10. A clothing protector according to claim 7, wherein said protector surface includes an upper region and a lower region, said upper region having a smaller width than said lower region.

11. A clothing protector comprising:

a connection means for connecting said flexible protector to clothing such that said protection region covers a protected region of the clothing with said connection means contacting the clothing in said protected region for holding said flexible protector to said clothing without said clips being visible from a side of said protector surface, said connection means including a plurality of spring action clamping clips, each of said clips having a first clamping member fixed to said flexible protector rear clothing facing surface and a second clamping member biased into a closed position, said clips defining the only connection of the flexible protector to the clothing and being only positioned in a region opposite said protector surface and within said protection perimeter, said clips including engagement surfaces for temporarily fixing said flexible protector to an article of clothing in a region of said clothing within said protection perimeter and overlaid by said flexible protector for positioning the flexible protector surface at any desired location relative to the clothing and for fixing the protector surface to the clothing for protection of the clothing.

12. A clothing protector according to claim 11, wherein said protector surface of said flexible protector comprises a front surface material and said rear clothing facing surface comprises a rear surface material comprising liquid absorbent material.

13. A clothing protector according to claim 11, wherein said protector surface includes an upper region and a lower region, the upper region having a smaller width than said lower region.