Convertible child bodysuit

Abstract

The subject matter presented herein provides a convertible child bodysuit including a unitary garment body and a flap. The unitary garment body includes a first panel and second panel. The flap includes a first end and second end, wherein the first end is fixed to the second panel. The second end of the flap is configured to releasably attach to both the first panel and releasably attach to a second panel, thereby converting a child bodysuit into and from a shirt-like garment.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A convertible child bodysuit comprising:
 a unitary garment body comprising a first panel and a second panel; and   a flap having a first end attached to the second panel and a second end, wherein the second end is configured to releasably attach to the first panel and wherein the second end is further configured to releasably attach to the second panel.   
     
     
         2 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an upper attachment mechanism on the second panel; and 
 a lower attachment mechanism on the second end of the flap, wherein the lower attachment mechanism is configured to releasably attach to the first panel and wherein the lower attachment mechanism is configured to releasably attach to the upper attachment mechanism. 
 
     
     
         3 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 1  wherein the first panel comprises the front facing side of the unitary garment body. 
     
     
         4 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 1  wherein the second panel comprises the back facing side of the unitary garment body. 
     
     
         5 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 2  wherein the lower attachment mechanism engages with the upper attachment mechanism on the outer facing side of the second panel. 
     
     
         6 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 2  wherein the lower attachment mechanism engages with the upper attachment mechanism on the body facing side of the second panel. 
     
     
         7 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 2  further comprising a cover configured to cover the engagement of the lower attachment mechanism to the upper attachment mechanism on the outer facing side of the second panel. 
     
     
         8 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 2  wherein upon engagement between the upper attachment mechanism and lower attachment mechanism, a folded edge is created, wherein the folded edge does not extend below a first edge of the first panel. 
     
     
         9 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 2  wherein the distance between the lower attachment mechanism and upper attachment mechanism is configured to align a folded edge with a first edge of the first panel, wherein the folded edge is created upon engaging the lower attachment mechanism with the upper attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 2  wherein the upper attachment mechanism and lower attachment mechanism comprise a hook and loop fastening system. 
     
     
         11 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 2  wherein the lower attachment mechanism and upper attachment mechanism may independently be selected from the group consisting of a snap, button, tie, string, zipper, band, magnets, hook and loop, or combination thereof 
     
     
         12 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 1  wherein the flap further comprises a string attached along both side edges of the flap, such that upon pulling the string, the flap is lifted and the second end of the flap is aligned with a first edge of the first panel. 
     
     
         13 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 1  wherein the first end of the flap is removable from the second panel. 
     
     
         14 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 1  further comprising a surrounding structure in contact with the unitary garment body, wherein the second end of the flap is configured to releasably attach to at least a portion of the surrounding structure. 
     
     
         15 . A convertible child bodysuit comprising:
 a unitary garment body comprising a first panel having a first edge and a second panel having a second lower edge, wherein the first panel and second panel form a neck opening, two arm openings, and a bottom opening; and   a removable flap comprising a first end that is configured to releasably attach to the first edge and a second end configured to releasably attach to the second lower edge.   
     
     
         16 . The convertible child bodysuit of  claim 13  wherein the first end and second end each comprise at least one fastener enabled to releasably attach to a fastener on the first edge and to a fastener on the second lower edge.