Wearable protective changing garment

Abstract

The present invention involves a garment that allows a wearer to change clothes in privacy and can be comfortably worn for protection before, during, and after changing. Preferably, the garment contains two sides of partially absorbent material separated by a water resistant layer. Alternatively, the garment can include a partially absorbent interior layer and a substantially water resistant exterior layer. The garment contains a hood, sleeves, and two apertures that allow a wearer to reach underneath the garment to change clothes. The garment can contain interior and exterior pockets to store items and keep the wearer's hands protected. The garment contains sufficient room underneath to enable a wearer to comfortably change clothes. The present invention can include a means for securing the garment to a fixed object to facilitate drying. The garment can also be folded up and stored within an enclosure located within the interior of the garment.

1 . A protective garment that can be worn before, during, and after the changing of clothes comprising: 
 a) a body portion, said body portion containing an interior layer of terry cloth and/or cotton material and an exterior layer of material substantially surrounding said interior layer of material, said body portion defined by a bottom edge and two side edges, said two side edges being unattached to form a garment opening for the purpose of facilitating the placement of the garment on a wearer;    b) at least two arm apertures formed within said body portion for the purpose of providing the wearer access to clothing underneath the garment;    c) at least two sleeves formed within said body portion, said sleeves extending from said body portion to cover at least the upper arm portion of the wearer,    d) at least two sets of pockets, one of said at least two set of pockets substantially adjacent to said interior layer of material, the other of said at least two sets of pockets substantially adjacent to said exterior layer of material; and    e) means for closing said garment opening located on at least one of said two side edges 
 whereby, while the wearer places her hands through said at least two arm apertures to access and remove wet clothing and change into dry clothing, said interior layer absorbs water and said exterior layer remains substantially dry, thereby allowing the wearer, after changing has occurred, to reverse the garment and wear the garment for protection, warmth, or leisure without dampening the newly changed dry clothes.  
   
   
   
       2 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein said interior layer and said exterior layer are separated by a water resistant layer.  
   
   
       3 . The protective garment of  claim 2 , wherein said interior layer, said exterior layer, and said water resistant layer are contained within the same piece of material.  
   
   
       4 . The protective garment of  claim 2 , wherein said exterior layer is comprised of a partially absorbent material.  
   
   
       5 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein said exterior layer is comprised of a substantially water resistant material.  
   
   
       6 . The protective garment of  claim 1  further comprising a hood attached to said interior layer of material and said exterior layer of material.  
   
   
       7 . The protective garment of  claim 1 , wherein said means for closing said garment opening is at least two snaps.  
   
   
       8 . The protective garment of  claim 1  further comprising a means for attachment located on said exterior layer for the purpose of allowing the garment to be hung or attached to a surface for drying or storage.  
   
   
       9 . The protective garment of  claim 8 , wherein said means for attachment is comprised of two sections of material connected together by a means for connection.  
   
   
       10 . The protective garment of  claim 9 , wherein said means for connection is at least one snap.  
   
   
       11 . The protective garment of  claim 1  further comprising an enclosure means attached to said interior layer for the purpose of providing protection for the garment during transport and storage.  
   
   
       12 . The protective garment of  claim 11 , wherein said enclosure means is a pouch containing a drawstring closure located on the upper edge thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The protective garment of  claim 11 , wherein said enclosure means is comprised of water resistant material.  
   
   
       14 . A protective garment that can be worn before, during, and after the changing of clothes comprising: 
 a) a body portion, said body portion containing including an interior cotton and/or terry cloth layer of material, an exterior layer of one or more of cotton, terry cloth and substantially surrounding said interior layer of material, and a water resistant layer made of one or more of neoprene, nylon, polypropylene and being between the interior and exterior layers, said body portion defining a bottom edge and two side edges, said two side edges being unattached to form a garment opening for the purpose of facilitating the placement of the garment on a wearer;    b) at least two arm apertures formed within said body portion for the purpose of providing an opening for hands and arms to pass there through; and    e) a closure engaged with the garment and manipulable by a wearer to close said garment opening, the closure being located on at least one of said two side edges; 
 whereby, while the wearer places her hands through said at least two arm apertures to access and remove wet clothing and change into dry clothing, said interior layer absorbs water and said exterior layer remains substantially dry, thereby allowing the wearer, after changing has occurred, to reverse the garment and wear the garment for protection, warmth, or leisure without dampening the newly changed dry clothes.  
   
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The protective garment of  claim 14 , wherein said interior layer, said exterior layer, and said water resistant layer are contained within the same piece of material.  
   
   
       17 . The garment of  claim 14 , wherein said exterior layer is comprised of a partially absorbent material.  
   
   
       18 . The garment of  claim 14 , wherein said exterior layer is comprised of a substantially water resistant material.  
   
   
       19 . The garment of  claim 14  further comprising an enclosure means attached to said interior layer for the purpose of providing protection for the garment during transport and storage.  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)