Technical Field

The invention relates to a garment carrier and particularly relates to suit carriers.

Background to the Invention

Garments such as formal suits and the like are typically packed for travelling in an item of luggage known as a suit carrier. Typically, suit carriers are very bulky and must be carried by hand. It has been found that suit carriers are not convenient for use in a crowded commuter environment or for use during activities where the hands must remain free such as whilst jogging, cycling or riding a motorcycle.

There remains a need for improved garment carriers. Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention a garment carrier including: a garment storage compartment in which a garment can be stored; the garment carrier can be moved between an unfolded configuration in which garments may be introduced to or removed from the garment storage compartment and a folded configuration in which the garment carrier can be carried on the back of a user; in the unfolded configuration the garment storage compartment has a major length dimension and a minor width dimension; the garment carrier is moved to the folded configuration by folding the garment carrier about an axis which is generally parallel to the width dimension; the garment carrier further includes a pair of shoulder straps which enable the garment carrier to be worn on the back of a user when it is in the folded configuration; the shoulder straps are arranged so that, when the garment carrier is carried on the back of a user, the width dimension of the garment storage compartment is in a generally vertical orientation.

The foldable garment storage compartment may be formed in three sections and fold in two places.

The garment carrier may further include a second storage compartment which is arranged so that when the garment carrier is worn on the back of a user the folded garment is located between the secondary storage compartment and the back of the user. The secondary storage compartment may extend across approximately the entire width dimension of the garment storage compartment.

One or more additional storage compartments may be provided on the outside of the secondary storage compartment.

The garment carrier may further include a waterproof shroud which may be deployed to protect an additional garment which is hung from the garment carrier.

The garment carrier may be retained in the folded configuration by an arrangement of releasable clip fasteners. Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view of the inside of an embodiment of a garment carrier according to the invention shown in the unfolded configuration;

Figure 2 is a view of the outside of the garment carrier of figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the garment carrier of figure 1 in the folded configuration;

Figure 4 is a reverse view of the garment carrier of figure 3; and

Figure 5 shows the garment carrier viewed as in figure 3 but with a waterproof shroud deployed.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to figure 1, a garment carrier 10 is shown in the unfolded

configuration. Garment carrier 10 includes a foldable garment storage compartment 12 which is accessed by way of flap 14 which is securable by a zip fastener 15. A suit 16 is shown stored in the storage compartment in dotted outline and is hanging on a clothes hanger which is hooked to a loop provided at the upper edge of the inside of the storage compartment. A loop handle 20 can be used to carry of hang the garment carrier when in this configuration. Alternatively, a hook 18 may be released from inside storage compartment 12 to hang the garment carrier 10 from the top of a door or the like. In this configuration garments can be introduced into, or removed from, the garment storage compartment. The carrier may be put into this configuration to allow a garment to be hung. Referring to figure 2, garment carrier 10 is formed from three roughly equally sized sections, 30, 40 and 50. When it is desired to transport the garment carrier, it is moved to its folded configuration by folding the sections 30, 40 and 50 with respect to one another across the width of the garment storage compartment about fold lines A and B in that order.

Once folded, releasable male clip fasteners 22 are attached to female fasteners 52 and male fasteners 24 (see fig 1) are attached to female fasteners 54 to retain the garment carrier in its folded configuration. Clip fastener 71 is attached to clip fastener 72. Whilst shoulder strap 32 is affixed by being sewn to the body of the garment carrier at either end, shoulder strap 32a is permanently affixed at its upper end, but terminates at its lower end at a male clip fastener 38. When in the folded configuration, clip 38 is attached to clip 37 to secure the lower end of the shoulder strap 32a to the bag.

Referring to figure 3, garment carrier 10 has been moved into its folded configuration in which it has an outward appearance somewhat similar to a

conventional backpack. Waist straps terminate in clip fasteners 86, 87 which may be connected together when the garment carrier is worn on a user's back to secure the garment carrier in place about the user's waist in a conventional manner.

Figure 3 shows what would be considered the rear side of the backpack which is formed by section 40 of the garment carrier. The entire area of section 40

corresponds to a secondary storage compartment 41 which is provided inside section 40 and is accessible from the top by a lid 48 which is secured by a zip fastener. The secondary storage compartment 41 functions in the same way as the main storage compartment of a conventional backpack. The garment is now folded away and is located between the storage compartment 41 and the back of the user.

The outside of section 40 includes three additional auxiliary storage compartments 42, 43 and 45, all of which are accessed by way of zip fasteners.

Compartment 43 is provided with net type drink holders 44 on each side. Compartment 45 houses a releasable rainjacket 45a shown in dotted outline. The rainjacket can be unfurled and used to cover the garment carrier when in the folded configuration in the event of rain.

Referring to figure 4, garment carrier 10 is shown in the folded configuration and includes two shoulder straps 32, 32a. A mobile phone holder 34 is mounted on one of the shoulder straps. A padded region 31 is provided for the comfort of the wearer. It can be seen that the lines A and B which extended across the width of the garment carrier when in the unfolded configuration are now oriented generally vertically when the garment carrier is in the folded configuration and is worn on the back of a user. Male clip 38 fits to female clip 37 to secure the lower end of shoulder strap 32a. Chest straps affixed to the shoulder straps 32, 32a terminate in clip fasteners 46, 47. Fasteners 46, 47 can be joined together when worn on a user's back to secure the garment carrier in place in a conventional manner.

Referring to figure 5, the garment carrier includes a waterproof shroud 60 which is formed of a lightweight plastic material. The shroud 60 is normally folded up tightly and is stored inside storage compartment 42. The shroud is permanently affixed at its upper end to the garment carrier 10. The shroud can be used to protect another garment from rain, such as a shirt or the like. The garment can be positioned inside the shroud and hung on a hanger from the garment carrier 10. The shroud hangs down and generally overlies the rear surface of the garment carrier. Shroud 60 includes a zip fastener 62 to allow the shroud to be opened and closed for removal and replacement of a garment in the shroud. The shroud is later re-folded and stowed away inside compartment 42.

A laundry bag (not shown) is folded and stored inside lid 48. The laundry bag is affixed to the garment carrier by a Velcro type of fastening. A user can wrap soiled items of clothing in the laundry bag before placing them in any of the storage compartments to prevent them from coming into contact with other items or clothes.

The garment carrier may include other compartments such as a laptop sleeve or shoe compartment.

In some embodiments any of the sections 30, 40, 50 may be provided with a stiffening device such as a stiff wire frame border or a stiff board to lend a greater degree of rigidity to the overall structure of the garment carrier 10.

It can be seen that embodiments of the invention have at least one of the following advantages:

• A suit, dress or other garment can be stored in a compact fashion and transported by wearing on a users back

• A range of other items can be stored in the garment carrier

• The garment carrier can be unfolded and hung up to allow garments inside to hang freely

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.