Articles of clothing with interchangeable panels

Abstract

An article of clothing includes a base panel and an outer panel having a window defined therein and joined to the base panel to define a peripheral flap extending about the window. The peripheral flap has an outer flap portion that extends interiorly into the window and an inner flap portion that depends from the outer flap portion and carries parts of first and second attachment mechanisms. The part of the first attachment mechanism is configured for attachment to a corresponding part positioned at a periphery of an interchangeable panel shaped so as to be received into the window when attached to the outer panel. The part of the second attachment mechanism holds the peripheral flap flat against the interchangeable panel through attachment to a corresponding part positioned on a face of the interchangeable panel interiorly of the corresponding part of the first attachment mechanism.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of clothing comprising:
 a base panel;   an outer panel having a window defined therein and joined to the base panel to define a peripheral flap extending at least partly around the window;   wherein the peripheral flap carries a part of a first attachment mechanism, the part of the first attachment mechanism configured for attachment to a corresponding part positioned at a periphery of a panel that is shaped so as to be received within the window when attached to the outer panel; and   wherein the peripheral flap carries a part of a second attachment mechanism that holds the peripheral flap flat against the panel through attachment to a corresponding part of the second attachment mechanism positioned on an outer face of the panel interiorly of the corresponding part of the first attachment mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises a clasp locker, and the second attachment mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first attachment mechanism extends substantially fully around the window. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral flap has an outer flap portion that extends inwardly into the window and an inner flap portion that depends from the outer flap portion, wherein the first attachment mechanism is carried on the inner flap portion, and wherein the outer and inner flap portions of the peripheral flap are formed of a continuous panel. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 4 , wherein the part of the first attachment mechanism is positioned at a terminal end of the inner flap portion, and wherein the terminal end of the inner flap portion is joined to the base panel. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the part of the second attachment mechanism is positioned at a foldback section of the peripheral flap. 
     
     
         7 . A method of fastening a panel to an article of clothing comprising an outer panel that defines a window in which the panel can be accommodated, the method comprising:
 a. using a first attachment mechanism, attaching a periphery of the panel to a peripheral flap of the outer panel;   b. using a second attachment mechanism, attaching the peripheral flap to an outer face of the panel interiorly of the attachment between the periphery of the panel and the peripheral flap.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises a clasp locker and the second attachment mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein step a. comprises attaching the periphery of the panel to an inner flap portion of the peripheral flap, wherein the inner flap portion depends from an outer flap portion of the peripheral flap, and wherein using the first attachment mechanism comprises at least partially extracting the inner flap portion of the peripheral flap from within a pocket defined by the peripheral flap. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein using the second attachment mechanism comprises pressing the peripheral flap against the panel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising using the first attachment mechanism prior to using the second attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . A kit comprising:
 an article of clothing; and   at least a first panel that detachably fastens to the article of clothing; and   wherein the article of clothing comprises:
 a base panel; and 
 an outer panel having a window defined therein and joined to the base panel to define a peripheral flap extending at least partly around the window. 
 wherein the first panel is shaped so as to be received into the window when attached to the outer panel; 
 wherein the peripheral flap carries a part of a first attachment mechanism, the part of the first attachment mechanism configured for attachment to a corresponding part positioned at a periphery of the first panel; and 
 wherein the peripheral flap carries a part of a second attachment mechanism that holds the peripheral flap flat against the first panel through attachment to a corresponding part of the second attachment mechanism, wherein the corresponding part of the second attachment mechanism is positioned on an outer face of the first panel interiorly of the corresponding part of the first attachment mechanism. 
   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises a clasp locker, and the second attachment mechanism comprises a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein at least the first attachment mechanism extends substantially fully around the window. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the peripheral flap has an outer flap portion that extends interiorly into the window and an inner flap portion that depends from the outer flap portion, wherein the peripheral flap carries the part of a first attachment mechanism on the inner flap portion. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the outer and inner flap portions of the peripheral flap are formed of a continuous panel. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the part of the first attachment mechanism is positioned at a terminal end of the inner flap portion, and wherein the terminal end of the inner flap portion is joined to the base panel. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the second attachment mechanism is positioned at a foldback section of the peripheral flap. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein when the peripheral flap is held flat against the first panel by the second attachment mechanism, the first attachment mechanism is concealed. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein during attachment of the first panel to the article of clothing, the first panel rests in the elevated plane above the outer panel and spaced apart from the outer panel and from the base panel.