DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The disclosed learning bib as seen in FIG. 1 illustrates a garment having securing means 20, neck portion 30 and elongate body portion 40. The elongate body portion 40 is shown with indicia 50 on the front side of bib displayed in an upside-down manner relative to a front face viewer but is actually right-side up relative to the wearer, as shown in FIG. 1. For the purposes of this invention, the term “indicia” includes any writing, marks, symbols, pictures, figures, numbers, drawings or the like, or any combination thereof. The indicia 50 is inscribed on the elongate body portion 40. The inscriptions may be embroidered, embossed, stitched, silk screened, or any other suitable means to provide the images as a permanent part of the fabric.

[0019] Since the indicia 50 is provided for the benefit of the wearer, the elongate body portion 40 is longer than traditional bibs. Traditional bibs generally have lengths which do not extend much beyond the chest area and averaging between 5 and 8 inches, measured from the neck. The bib of the present invention provides an elongated body portion 40, characterized by L in FIG. 1, which extends from the chest area to the torso. The elongated length measures in a range between 6 to 12 inches. This length, L, characterizes the distance from the top of the base of the neck portion 35 to the distal end of the bib 45. This elongated length is designed particularly to allow the wearer to best view the indicia inscribed on the bib.

[0020] Various securing means 20 can be employed to fasten the respective ends of the bib. The securing means 20 fastens the upper end of the bib around the neck of the wearer. These securing means may comprise first and second fastening means. For instance, first and second strings may comprise the securing means which may be secured to the neck by tying the respective ends of the strings together behind the neck of the wearer, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. Alternatively, snaps, buckles, buttons and flexible fasteners such as Velcro® or the like may be employed to secure the bib to the wearer.

[0021] The learning bib may include manipulation means which comprises a plurality of patches 60 which may be releasably attachable to the elongate body portion 40 of said bib. As shown in FIG. 3, the elongate body portion 40 may have matching phantom indicia 55 displayed in or on the fabric which match the patches 60, whereby said patches 60 can be selectively removed from and reattached to said phantom indicia 55 as a part of a learning exercise. The patches may be attached and reattached by any suitable temporary adhesion means such as magnetic attaching means or temporary adhesion stickers. These patches may be letters, color strips, animals, or other concept images, and the sort, which can be removed. Said learning exercises may be self-induced by the wearer or may be guided by an adult instructing the child through various learning activities. The removable patches serves to as stimulate inquisitiveness as well as test and stimulate the child's hand-eye coordination skills by encouraging manipulation via the hands. The removable patches also serve to facilitate cleaning of the bib.

[0022] FIG. 3A illustrates the embodiment which is a derivative of the FIG. 3 embodiment wherein patches are utilized. However, FIG. 3A illustrates the use of removable patches without the guidance of phantom indicia to guide placement of the patches. Herein, the patches may be used for placement at will while guided by the educational concept inscribed on the bib. For example, arithmetical exercises may be performed wherein the patches may be placed to produce mathematical expressions such as addition and subtraction. Again, the removable patches aide in the cleaning of the bib.

[0023] In as much as music is a well known educational component, the disclosed invention may be adapted to play music. FIG. 4 illustrates a learning bib with indicia 50 including figures and inscriptions representative of songs adapted to be played by the bib. FIG. 4A illustrates a cut-away view of the bib of FIG. 4 to show means for producing music such as a sound chip 80. The sound chip 80 may be embedded between insulative layers of the bib. Said insulation 70 may comprise plastics for protecting the chip from liquids. The insulation 70 may also comprise padding layers to further protect the chip.

[0024] The learning bib is designed with the idea of it being worn by a learner with educational means designed to interact with an infant or child wearer, However, the wearer need not necessarily be young and may also include those persons, youth and adult, with various learning disabilities. The bib as disclosed may also be used for an adult during rehabilitative learning exercises for recovery from mental illnesses, such as amnesia or the like, which may require mental rehabilitation exercises.

[0025] The present invention described herein represents a small aspect of how the learning bib can be used for educational purposes. For example, child group exercises can be performed wherein children wearing the same or similar learning bibs can be performed wherein children may be required to participate in specific game-type activities and so forth.

[0026] The learning bib described herein is exemplary and are provided merely to show how the bib is used in a manner that provides fin intellectual exercises while simultaneously developing visual perceptions, motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

[0027] The present invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve similar results. For example, the garment may take the form of a smock, or an apron. The garment may also include any article of clothing such as shirts, sweaters, pants, gloves, skirts and so on. However whichever the garment, the inverted indicia is a key factor to the object of the invention. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. It is therefore intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.