U.S. patent application number 12/324602 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for hood and method of use.
Invention is credited to Paolo Della Bordella, Jaime Daretta, Coby Rowe.
Application Number | 20090178176 12/324602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40849355 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090178176 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rowe; Coby ; et al. |
July 16, 2009 |
HOOD AND METHOD OF USE
Abstract
A clothing accessory is provided to be worn on the head of a
user and is provided with an upper end portion, an open lower end
portion, a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward
portion is provided with at least one eye opening. The rearward
portion is provided with a rear opening that is shaped and sized to
permit the user to pass the user's head from within an interior
portion of the clothing accessory through the rear opening. A
removable visor may be coupled with the clothing accessory above
the eye opening. One or more flaps may be positioned near the rear
opening for covering the rear opening.
Inventors: |
Rowe; Coby; (Reno, NV)
; Bordella; Paolo Della; (Reno, NV) ; Daretta;
Jaime; (Reno, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & HART, LLP
P.O BOX 8749
DENVER
CO
80201
US
|
Family ID: |
40849355 |
Appl. No.: |
12/324602 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60990500 |
Nov 27, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/172 ; 2/202;
2/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/048 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/172 ; 2/202;
2/206 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/06 20060101
A42B001/06; A42B 1/04 20060101 A42B001/04; A42B 1/18 20060101
A42B001/18 |
Claims
1. A clothing accessory to be worn on the head of a user, the
clothing accessory comprising: a body having: (i) an upper end
portion; (ii) an open lower end portion defined by a neck hole;
(iii) a forward portion; (iv) a rearward portion; and an interior,
the forward portion of the body having at least one eye hole
between the upper end portion and the open lower end portion; the
rearward portion of the body having a rear opening between the
upper end portion and the lower end portion; the rear opening being
in open communication with the interior of the body.
2. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the forward portion of
the body includes a portion of perforated material between the open
lower end portion and the at least one eye hole.
3. The clothing accessory of claim 2 wherein the portion of
perforated material defines a mouth area of the forward portion of
the body.
4. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the rear opening is
provided as an elongated slit that extends transverse with a long
axis of the hood that extends between the upper end portion and the
open lower end portion.
5. The clothing accessory of claim 1 further comprising one or more
flaps coupled with the rearward portion of the body, adjacent the
rear opening, and movable between an open position that exposes the
rear opening and a closed position that conceals the rear
opening.
6. The clothing accessory of claim 5 wherein the at least one of
the one or more flaps is biased toward the closed position.
7. The clothing accessory of claim 6 further comprising an elastic
material that is coupled with the rearward portion of the body,
adjacent the rear opening, whereby the at least one of the one or
more flaps is biased toward the closed position.
8. The clothing accessory of claim 6 further comprising one or more
fasteners coupled with the rearward portion of the body, adjacent
the rear opening and the one or more flaps, whereby the one or more
fasteners may secure the at least one of the one or more flaps in
the closed position.
9. The clothing accessory of claim 1 wherein the body is comprised
of a waterproof material.
10. The clothing accessory of claim 1 further comprising a visor
that is operatively coupled with the forward portion of the body,
between the upper end portion and the at least one eye hole.
11. The clothing accessory of claim 10 wherein the visor is
comprised of a semi-rigid material.
12. The clothing accessory of claim 11 wherein the visor is
removably coupled with the body.
13. A method of using a clothing accessory, the method comprising:
providing clothing accessory comprising a body having: (i) an upper
end portion; (ii) an open lower end portion defined by a neck hole;
(iii) a forward portion; (iv) a rearward portion; and an interior,
the forward portion of the body having at least one eye hole
between the upper end portion and the open lower end portion; the
rearward portion of the body having a rear opening between the
upper end portion and the lower end portion; the rear opening being
in open communication with the interior of the body; positioning
the clothing accessory on a user's head by passing the user's head
through the neck hole of the body and into the interior of the
body; and positioning the clothing accessory about a neck of the
user by passing the user's head through the rear opening of the
body and pulling the body into a position about the user's
neck.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: prior to positioning
the clothing accessory about a neck of the user, moving the
clothing accessory into a first use position whereby the user's
head is substantially disposed within the interior of the body and
at least one eye of the user is exposed by the at least one eye
opening.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising: after positioning
the clothing accessory about a neck of the user, moving the
clothing accessory into a first use position whereby the user's
head is substantially disposed within the interior of the body and
at least one eye of the user is exposed by the at least one eye
opening.
16. The method of claim 13 further comprising: providing the
clothing accessory with one or more flaps that are coupled with the
rearward portion of the body, adjacent the rear opening, and
movable between an open position that exposes the rear opening and
a closed position that conceals the rear opening; and moving the
one or more flaps into an open position before passing the user's
head through the rear opening.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising: providing the
clothing accessory with one or more flaps that are coupled with the
rearward portion of the body, adjacent the rear opening, and
movable between an open position that exposes the rear opening and
a closed position that conceals the rear opening; and moving the
one or more flaps into a closed position after moving the clothing
accessory into the first use position.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising: providing the
clothing accessory with one or more fasteners adjacent the one or
more flaps and the rear opening; and securing the one or more flaps
in a closed position using the one or more fasteners.
19. The method of claim 15 further comprising: providing the
clothing accessory with a visor; and removably coupling the visor
with the forward portion of the body, between the upper end portion
and the at least one eye hole, after moving the clothing accessory
into the first use position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] The invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional patent
application No. 60/990,500 entitled HOOD AND METHOD OF USE by COBY
R. ROWE, PAOLO DELLA BORDELLA, and JAIME DARETTA, filed on Nov. 27,
2007, which Provisional patent application is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Clothing accessories, such as hats and masks have been
previously used for a variety of reasons, including fashion,
temperature control, and to protect users from the elements. Some
clothing accessories have been provided to cover the top of a
user's head, while others have been provided to also cover portions
of the user's face or neck. Such clothing accessories, however,
have provided little variance to the positions in which they may be
worn.
[0003] Where an accessory has been provided, for example, to cover
the top of the user's head, the user has had to remove the clothing
accessory completely to gain access to the top of the user's head.
Clothing accessories have not been typically crafted in a manner
that permitted an alternate use position on the user that provided
the user with easy access to the top of the user's head. This has
also been the case where the clothing accessory has been provided
to cover the user's face. In order to gain access to the user's
face to eat, for example, the clothing accessory typically should
be removed from the user.
SUMMARY
[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary, and the foregoing
Background, is not intended to identify key aspects or essential
aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is
not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
[0005] In some embodiments, a clothing accessory is provided that
may be worn on the head of a user like a hood. The clothing
accessory has a body portion with an upper end portion, a lower end
portion, a forward portion and a rearward portion. The lower end
portion of the body is preferably provided with a neck hole that is
shaped and sized to permit the user to pass the user's head through
the opening and into an interior portion of the body. The forward
portion of the body may have at least one eye hole that is
positioned to expose at least one eye of the user when the clothing
accessory is positioned in a first use position on the user's head.
The rearward portion of the body is preferably provided with a rear
opening that is shaped and sized to permit the user's head to pass
through the rear opening from within the interior portion of said
body.
[0006] In certain embodiments, the clothing accessory is formed
from a flexible fabric. Perforated material may be positioned along
the forward portion of the body to provide greater airflow adjacent
the user's mouth when the clothing accessory is worn in the first
use position.
[0007] The rear opening may be provided in various shapes and
orientations to permit the user's head to easily pass through the
opening from the first use position. Gathers may be provided along
a peripheral edge portion of the rear opening to help bias the
opening toward a closed position when the clothing accessory is in
the first use position on the user's head. A rear flap may be
coupled with the rearward portion of the body, near the rear
opening, so that the flap substantially covers the rear opening
when the clothing accessory is in the first use position.
[0008] In some embodiments, a user may place the clothing accessory
on the user's head, into the first use position, by passing the
user's head through the neck hole and positioning the forward
portion so that the eye hole exposes at least one of the user's
eyes. From the first use position, the user may pass the user's
head through the rear opening from the interior portion of the body
to expose the user's head, leaving at least a substantial portion
of the body around the user's neck. Accordingly, the user may move
the clothing accessory to a second use position that permits the
user to eat and drink, among other activities without completely
removing the clothing accessory. The clothing accessory is returned
to the first use position or removed by first passing the user's
head back through the rear opening.
[0009] In some embodiments, the clothing accessory may be formed
from a variety of materials that assist in blocking sun, wind and
other elements from the user's head and neck. In one aspect, the
materials used to construct the clothing accessory are sufficiently
porous to provide the user with adequate ventilation, while
continuing to shield the user from the sun and other weather
elements.
[0010] These and other aspects of the present system and method
will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description
and Figures herein. It is to be understood, however, that the scope
of the invention shall be determined by the claims as issued and
not by whether given subject matter addresses any or all issues
noted in the Background or includes any features or aspects recited
in this Summary.
DRAWINGS
[0011] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present
invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with
reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals
refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise
specified.
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts: one embodiment of the clothing accessory and
one manner in which it may be worn by a user.
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of the clothing
accessory of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a rear elevation view of the clothing
accessory of FIG. 1 and shows one embodiment of the rear opening
and flap.
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a side elevation view of the clothing
accessory of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 depicts a top plan view of the clothing accessory of
FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of an interior portion of the
clothing accessory depicted in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 7 depicts a side elevation view of one manner in which
the clothing accessory depicted in FIG. 1 may be moved from a first
use position to a second use position by passing the user's head
through the rear opening of the clothing accessory.
[0019] FIG. 8 depicts a side elevation view of the user and
clothing accessory of FIG. 7 after the user has moved the clothing
accessory to a second use position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to
the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show by way
of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments
are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the
art to practice the technology. However, embodiments may be
implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as
being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, a clothing accessory 10 may be
provided to be worn about the head and neck areas of a user. The
clothing accessory 10 is provided with a body portion 12, having an
upper end portion 14, a lower end portion 16, a forward portion 18
and a rearward portion 20. The lower end portion 16 is formed to
have a neck hole 22 that is shaped and sized to permit the user to
pass the user's head through the neck hole 22 and into an interior
portion 24 of the body portion 12. The forward portion 18 of the
body portion 12 is formed to have at least one eye hole 26 that is
positioned to expose at least one eye of the user when the clothing
accessory 10 is positioned in a first use position on the user's
head. It is contemplated, however, that one or more eye holes 26
may be provided, depending upon the desired coverage of the user's
face. It is further contemplated that the eye holes 26 may be
formed to have nearly any shape, including round, oval, or various
polygonal shapes, depending upon the desired end product.
[0022] In one embodiment, a mesh or perforated material may be
positioned within the forward portion 18 of the body portion 12 to
form a mouth or mouth and nose area 28 of the clothing accessory
10. Use of the mesh or perforated material increases the ease with
which the user may breathe through the clothing accessory 10 when
it is worn in its first use position. The mesh or perforated
material further increases the clarity in which a user's words are
understood while the user is speaking and wearing the clothing
accessory 10 simultaneously.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the rearward portion 20
of the body portion 12 may be provided with a rear opening 30 that
is shaped and sized to permit the user's head to pass through the
rear opening 30 from within the interior portion 24 of the body
portion 12. While the rear opening 30 is generally depicted as an
elongated, generally horizontally disposed slit, it is contemplated
that the shape and orientation of the rear opening 30 may vary
greatly from one embodiment to another, depending upon the desired
aesthetic and functional attributes of the clothing accessory 10.
One or more flaps 32 may be coupled with the rearward portion 20 of
the body portion 12, adjacent the rear opening 30, so that the one
or more flaps 32 are biased toward a closed position that conceals
the rear opening 30. While it is contemplated that the rear opening
30 may be provided with various elastic materials or reinforcements
to urge the rear opening 30 toward a closed position, the flap 32
may provide a reduced likelihood that sun and other such weather
elements will pass through the rear opening 30 when the clothing
accessory 10 is worn by the user. Various mechanical fasteners,
including hook and loop materials, snaps, buttons, or the like are
contemplated for securing the flap 32 in a closed position against
the rearward portion 20 of the body portion 12.
[0024] The clothing accessory 10 may be assembled from one or more
panels of generally flexible material. The edge portions of such
panels of flexible material may be coupled to one another by sewing
the panels to one another. Adhesives and other methods of
mechanically coupling the panels with one another are contemplated.
The type of material selected to form the clothing accessory 10 may
be dependent upon the intended use of the clothing accessory 10.
For example, heavier weight materials, including wool, fleece, and
the like, may provide an increased level of warmth to a user in
cool climates. Similarly, various mesh or perforated materials will
allow the clothing accessory 10 to breathe more freely with the
ambient air while significantly reducing the likelihood of contact
between the user's head and sunlight or other weather elements. It
is further contemplated that one or more natural or synthetic
waterproof materials could be used to construct the clothing
accessory 10. Such materials may be laminated to or coated with one
or more known waterproofing substances, such as rubber, polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), silicone elastomer, and wax.
Various colors or patterns, including camouflage, may be utilized
in order to expand the usage of the clothing accessory 10 in one or
more various activities that include hunting in different
seasons.
[0025] An optional visor, formed from various semi-rigid and
flexible materials, may also be provided above the one or more eye
holes 26. In this manner, additional protection from sunlight and
weather elements are provided to the partially exposed eyes of the
user. It is contemplated that such a visor structure may be
permanently or removably secured to the body portion 12, as
desired.
[0026] In one aspect, the user may put the clothing accessory 10 on
the user's head by first passing the user's head through the neck
hole 22 of the body portion 12 and into the interior portion 24.
The user may need to adjust the position of the one or more eye
holes 26 to properly align with the user's eyes. Likewise, any
mouth and nose areas of the clothing accessory 10 may be adjusted
to be aligned with the user's mouth and nose. The lower end portion
16 of the clothing accessory 10 may be draped about the neck of the
user and may, depending upon the length of the clothing accessory
10, be tucked into other garments worn by the user, such as a shirt
or jacket.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the user may move the
clothing accessory 10 from its first use position to a second use
position that provides the user access to the user's face and head.
In doing so, the user may open the rear opening 30, pushing the one
or more flaps 32 away from the rear opening 30. The body portion 12
of the clothing accessory 10 may then be pulled in a forward
direction over the face of the user, causing the user's head to
pass from the interior portion 24 of the body portion 12 through
the rear opening 30. With reference to FIG. 8, the second use
position of the clothing accessory 10 disposes the clothing
accessory 10 about the neck of the user, leaving the user's face
and significant portions of the user's head exposed. In
disposition, the user is free to eat, drink or the like without
completely removing the clothing accessory 10 from the user's body.
In doing so, the user leaves the clothing accessory 10 in a readily
accessible location for reversing the procedure to move the
clothing accessory 10 back into its first use position around the
user's head.
[0028] Although the clothing accessory has been described in
language that is specific to certain structures, materials, and
methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention
defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the
specific structures, materials, and/or steps described. Rather, the
specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing
the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can
be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter
appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions,
such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc.
used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as
modified in all instances by the term "approximately." At the very
least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the
doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter
recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the
term "approximately" should at least be construed in light of the
number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary
rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to
be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that
recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values
subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be
considered to include and provide support for claims that recite
any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or
inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10;
that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more
and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10,
2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3,
5.8, 9.9994, and so forth). Expressions such as "up," "down,",
"upper," "lower," "horizontal," "vertical," "left," "right," and
the like are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of
description when dealing with relative relationships but these
terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions,
and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an
"upper" surface can become a "lower" surface simply by turning the
object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object.
* * * * *