Patent Application
20230079028
The invention relates generally to connectors for clothing garments, and more particularly, to a connector assembly for a hood of a clothing garment, and even more particularly, to a connector assembly arranged to draw together a hood of a clothing garment such that a face covering is formed.
Face coverings are used to protect a user's face, to prevent particles from entering a user's body, or prevent limit the expulsion of particles from a user's body. For example, face coverings may be desired in cold weather environments to protect a user's face from cold temperatures as well as snow, sleet, wind, rain, etc. More importantly, however, face coverings have become massively important due to the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Not only are face coverings desired for personal protection from the possible transmission of disease, but are mandatory in many jurisdictions in the United States and throughout the world. Thus, the marketplace is flooded with orders for face coverings and masks.
Current face covering and mask designs comprise a piece of material forming the face covering and two straps that wrap around the user's ears to hold the face covering in place. However, current face coverings are often inconvenient because a user may forget the mask at home. Current designs also are not sufficient in protecting the user's face from the environment (i.e., cold weather). Furthermore, current designs do not have decorative or interchangeable decorative designs thereon.
Therefore, there is a long-felt need for a connector assembly that secures to a hooded clothing garment in order to transform the hood into a face covering. There is also a long-felt need for such a connector assembly to provide for interchangeable face covering assemblies so as to swap out face covers when the become worn or dirty or to update the decorative appearance thereof.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a connector assembly for a hood of a hooded shirt, comprising a first connector element operatively arranged to be removably secured to a first side of the hood, the first connector element including a first inferior component, a first superior component hingedly connected to the first inferior component, and a first support, and a second connector element operatively arranged to be removably secured to a second side of the hood, the second side being opposite the first side, the second connector element including a second inferior component, a second superior component hingedly connected to the second inferior component, and a second support, wherein the second connector element is operatively arranged to be removably connected to the first connector element.
In some embodiments, the first connector element comprises a first magnet, the second connector element comprises a second magnet, and the second magnet is arranged to engage the first magnet to connect the second connector element to the first connector element. In some embodiments, the first magnet is fixedly secured to the first support and the second magnet is fixedly secured to the second support. In some embodiments, the connector assembly further comprises a third magnet connected to the first support, wherein the first magnet is arranged on a first side of the support and faces a first direction and the third magnet is arranged on a second side of the support and faces a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. In some embodiments, the first connector element further comprises a first lever rotatably connected to the first inferior component, and when the first lever is rotated in a first rotational direction the first superior component is displaced toward the first inferior component. In some embodiments, the first connector element comprises a first silicone layer, and the first silicone layer is arranged at least partially on at least one of the first lever and the first support. In some embodiments, at least one of the first connector element and the second connector element comprises a silicone layer. In some embodiments, the connector assembly further comprises a face covering assembly removably connectable to at least one of the first connector element and the second connector element. In some embodiments, the face covering assembly comprises a decorative face cover.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a connector assembly for a hood of a hooded shirt, comprising a first connector element operatively arranged to be removably secured to a first side of the hood, the first connector element including a first inferior component, a first superior component hingedly connected to the first inferior component, a first support, and a first magnet connected to the first support, and a second connector element operatively arranged to be removably secured to a second side of the hood, the second side being opposite the first side, the second connector element including a second inferior component, a second superior component hingedly connected to the second inferior component, a second support, and a second magnet connected to the second support, wherein the second magnet is operatively arranged to engage the first magnet to removably connect the second connector element to the first connector element.
In some embodiments, the first support is slidably engaged with the first inferior component and the second support is slidably engaged with the second inferior component. In some embodiments, the connector assembly further comprises a third magnet connected to the first support, wherein the first magnet is arranged on a first side of the support and faces a first direction and the third magnet is arranged on a second side of the support and faces a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. In some embodiments, the connector assembly further comprises a face covering assembly removably connectable to the third magnet. In some embodiments, the first connector element further comprises a first lever rotatably connected to the first inferior component, and when the first lever is rotated in a first rotational direction the first superior component is displaced toward the first inferior component. In some embodiments, the first connector element comprises a first silicone layer, and the first silicone layer is arranged at least partially on at least one of the first lever and the first support. In some embodiments, at least one of the first connector element and the second connector element comprises a silicone layer. In some embodiments, the connector assembly further comprises a face covering assembly removably connectable to at least one of the first connector element and the second connector element. In some embodiments, the face covering assembly comprises a decorative face cover. In some embodiments, at least one of the first inferior component and the first superior component comprises one or more first teeth, and at least one of the second inferior component and the second superior component comprises one or more second teeth.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a connector assembly for a clothing garment, comprising a first connector element operatively arranged to be removably secured to a first side of the clothing garment, the first connector element including a first inferior component, a first superior component hingedly connected to the first inferior component, a first support, and a first magnet connected to the first support, a second connector element operatively arranged to be removably secured to a second side of the clothing garment, the second side being opposite the first side, the second connector element including a second inferior component, a second superior component hingedly connected to the second inferior component, a second support, a second magnet connected to a first side of the second support, and a third magnet connected to a second side of the second support, the second side being opposite the first side, wherein the second magnet is operatively arranged to engage the first magnet to removably connect the second connector element to the first connector element, and a face covering assembly operatively arranged to be removably connected to the third magnet.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the disclosure, in view of the drawings and appended claims.
Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.
Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments. The assembly of the present disclosure could be driven by hydraulics, electronics, pneumatics, and/or springs.
It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term “approximately” is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.
It should be understood that use of “or” in the present application is with respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word “or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example, an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.
Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of” and “comprising at least one of” in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” is used herein. Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.
Adverting now to the figures,
Hooded shirt 1 is generally a hooded sweatshirt, jacket, or other top operatively arranged to be worn be a user. Hooded shirt 1 comprises hood 2 which engages the user's head, as is known in the art. Hood 2 comprises first side 6A and second side 6B arranged diametrically opposite first side 6A. First side 6A comprises first port 4A arranged proximate to or at the bottom of hood 2 (i.e., where hood 2 meets the torso/shoulders portion of hooded shirt 1) and second side 6B comprises second port 4B arranged proximate to or at the bottom of hood 2. Hooded shirt 1 further comprises at least one draw string which engages hood 2 in order to tighten or loosen hood 2 about user's face 8. For example, hood 2 may comprise one drawstring including drawstring portion 3A that engages port 4A and drawstring portion 3B that engages port 4B. In some embodiments, hood 2 comprises two drawstrings.
As shown in
Connector assembly 20A comprises inferior component 22A, superior component 26A hingedly or pivotably connected to inferior component 22A, and support 34A fixedly secured to and extending from inferior component 22A. Inferior component 22A comprises one or more teeth 24A extending therefrom in a direction generally toward superior component 26A. Superior component 26A comprises one or more teeth 28A extending therefrom in a direction generally toward inferior component 22A. Connector element 20A further comprises lever or clamping element 32A which is pivotably connected to inferior component 22A via pivot 30A. Lever 32A is operatively arranged to rotationally displace relative to inferior component 22A to clamp superior component 26A down onto inferior component 22A. In doing so, teeth 28A and teeth 24A will grip an element therebetween, specifically, hood 2. In some embodiments, inferior component 22A comprises at least one flange (e.g., two flanges) that extend generally perpendicular therefrom. The flange comprises a through-bore and the lever comprises a protrusion that engages the through-bore to pivotably connect lever 32A to inferior component 22A.
Connector element 20A further comprises magnet 36A fixedly secured to support 34A. Specifically, magnet 36A is fixedly secured to a first side of support 34A, the first side of support 34A being the side directed toward superior component 26A. Magnet 36A is operatively arranged to engage magnet 36B to removably connect connector element 20A to connector element 20B, as will be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, support 34A is slidingly engaged with inferior component 22A. In such embodiments, the total length of connector element 20A is adjustable. This is beneficial because it allows hood 2 to be pulled tighter or looser around the user's face 8. For example, if the user wants, in the connected state, no gap between side 6A and side 6B, support 34A should be displaced toward inferior component 22A in order to reduce/minimize the total length of connector element 20A. If the user wants, in the connected state, a gap between side 6A and side 6B, support 34A should be displaced away from inferior component 22A in order to increase the total length of connector element 20A.
Connector assembly 10 further comprises magnet 38 arranged on one of connector element 20A and connector element 20B. In the embodiment shown, magnet 38 is fixedly secured to connector element 20A. Specifically, magnet 38 is fixedly secured to a second side of support 34A, opposite the first side (i.e., where magnet 36A is secured). In some embodiments, magnet 38 is fixedly secured to inferior component 22A. It should be appreciated that magnet 36A is connected to connector element 20A and faces in a first direction, and magnet 38 is connected to connector element 20A and faces in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
To assemble connector element 20A, hood 2 should be positioned between inferior component 22A and superior component 26A, in the unclamped state (see
Connector assembly 20B comprises inferior component 22B, superior component 26B hingedly or pivotably connected to inferior component 22B, and support 34B fixedly secured to and extending from inferior component 22B. Inferior component 22B comprises one or more teeth 24B extending therefrom in a direction generally toward superior component 26B. Superior component 26B comprises one or more teeth 28B extending therefrom in a direction generally toward inferior component 22B. Connector element 20B further comprises lever or clamping element 32B which is pivotably connected to inferior component 22B via pivot 30B. Lever 32B is operatively arranged to rotationally displace relative to inferior component 22B to clamp superior component 26B down onto inferior component 22B. In doing so, teeth 28B and teeth 24B will grip an element therebetween, specifically, hood 2. In some embodiments, inferior component 22B comprises at least one flange (e.g., two flanges) that extend generally perpendicular therefrom. The flange comprises a through-bore and the lever comprises a protrusion that engages the through-bore to pivotably connect lever 32B to inferior component 22B.
Connector element 20B further comprises magnet 36B fixedly secured to support 34B. Specifically, magnet 36B is fixedly secured to a first side of support 34B, the first side of support 34B being the side directed toward superior component 26B. Magnet 36B is operatively arranged to engage magnet 36A to removably connect connector element 20B to connector element 20A, as will be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, support 34B is slidingly engaged with inferior component 22B. In such embodiments, the total length of connector element 20B is adjustable. This is beneficial because it allows hood 2 to be pulled tighter or looser around the user's face 8. For example, if the user wants, in the connected state, no gap between side 6A and side 6B, support 34B should be displaced toward inferior component 22B in order to reduce/minimize the total length of connector element 20B. If the user wants, in the connected state, a gap between side 6A and side 6B, support 34B should be displaced away from inferior component 22B in order to increase the total length of connector element 20B.
To assemble connector element 20B, hood 2 should be positioned between inferior component 22B and superior component 26B, in the unclamped state (see
Then, lever 32B is rotated thereby displacing superior component 26B toward inferior component 22B to squeeze hood 2 therebetween, forming the clamped state (see
Once connector elements 20A and 20B are clamped to hood 2 they are drawn together and magnet 36A, which faces toward the user's face 8, engages with magnet 36B, which faces away from the user's face 8.
In some embodiments, connector assembly 10 further comprises face covering assembly 50. Face covering assembly 50 comprises face cover 52 and magnet 54. Magnet 54 is fixedly secured to face cover 52 and is operatively arranged to be removably connected to magnet 38. Face cover 52 is designed to cover at least a portion of the user's face 8. In some embodiments, face cover 52 comprises a decorative or ornamental design or facade, such as fake lips or a Halloween mask. In some embodiments, face cover 52 comprises a medical face mask or face mask operatively arranged to limit the flow of particles to a person's face or from a person's face. For example, a surgical or COVID-19 mask may be secured to at least one of connector elements 20A-B via magnetic connection. When the mask becomes soiled, it can be removed and washed or replaced with a new mask.
In some embodiments, and as best shown in
Connector assembly 120A comprises inferior component 122A, superior component 126A hingedly or pivotably connected to inferior component 122A, and support 134A fixedly secured to and extending from inferior component 122A. Inferior component 122A comprises one or more teeth 124A extending therefrom in a direction generally toward superior component 126A. Superior component 126A comprises one or more teeth 128A extending therefrom in a direction generally toward inferior component 122A. Connector element 120A further comprises lever or clamping element 132A which is pivotably connected to inferior component 122A via pivot 130A. Lever 132A is operatively arranged to rotationally displace relative to inferior component 122A to clamp superior component 126A down onto inferior component 122A. In doing so, teeth 128A and teeth 124A will grip an element therebetween, specifically, hood 2. In some embodiments, inferior component 122A comprises at least one flange (e.g., two flanges) that extend generally perpendicular therefrom. The flange comprises a through-bore and the lever comprises a protrusion that engages the through-bore to pivotably connect lever 132A to inferior component 122A.
Connector element 120A further comprises magnet 136A fixedly secured to support 134A. Specifically, magnet 136A is fixedly secured to a first side of support 134A, the first side of support 134A being the side that is perpendicular to inferior component 122A. Magnet 136A is operatively arranged to engage magnet 136B to removably connect connector element 120A to connector element 120B, as will be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, support 134A is slidingly engaged with inferior component 122A. In such embodiments, the total length of connector element 120A is adjustable. This is beneficial because it allows hood 2 to be pulled tighter or looser around the user's face 8. For example, if the user wants, in the connected state, no gap between side 6A and side 6B, support 134A should be displaced toward inferior component 22A in order to reduce/minimize the total length of connector element 120A. If the user wants, in the connected state, a gap between side 6A and side 6B, support 134A should be displaced away from inferior component 122A in order to increase the total length of connector element 120A.
Connector assembly 110 further comprises magnet 138 arranged on one of connector element 120A and connector element 120B. In the embodiment shown, magnet 138 is fixedly secured to connector element 120A. Specifically, magnet 138 is fixedly secured to a second side of support 134A, perpendicular to the first side (i.e., where magnet 136A is secured). In some embodiments, magnet 138 is fixedly secured to inferior component 122A. It should be appreciated that magnet 136A is connected to connector element 120A and faces in a first direction, and magnet 138 is connected to connector element 120A and faces in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction.
To assemble connector element 120A, hood 2 should be positioned between inferior component 122A and superior component 126A, in the unclamped state. Then, lever 132A is rotated thereby displacing superior component 126A toward inferior component 122A to squeeze hood 2 therebetween, forming the clamped state. Connector element 120A is operatively arranged to be connected to side 6B of hood 2 such that magnet 138 faces away from user's face 8 and magnet 136A faces toward connector element 120B. Additionally, connector element 120A should be arranged at a distance above port 4B.
Connector assembly 120B comprises inferior component 122B, superior component 126B hingedly or pivotably connected to inferior component 122B, and support 134B fixedly secured to and extending from inferior component 122B. Inferior component 122B comprises one or more teeth 124B extending therefrom in a direction generally toward superior component 126B. Superior component 126B comprises one or more teeth 128B extending therefrom in a direction generally toward inferior component 122B. Connector element 120B further comprises lever or clamping element 132B which is pivotably connected to inferior component 122B via pivot 130B. Lever 132B is operatively arranged to rotationally displace relative to inferior component 122B to clamp superior component 126B down onto inferior component 122B. In doing so, teeth 128B and teeth 124B will grip an element therebetween, specifically, hood 2. In some embodiments, inferior component 122B comprises at least one flange (e.g., two flanges) that extend generally perpendicular therefrom. The flange comprises a through-bore and the lever comprises a protrusion that engages the through-bore to pivotably connect lever 132B to inferior component 122B.
Connector element 120B further comprises magnet 136B fixedly secured to support 134B. Specifically, magnet 136B is fixedly secured to a first side of support 134B, the first side of support 134B being the side perpendicular to inferior component 122B. Magnet 136B is operatively arranged to engage magnet 136A to removably connect connector element 120B to connector element 120A, as will be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, support 134B is slidingly engaged with inferior component 122B. In such embodiments, the total length of connector element 120B is adjustable. This is beneficial because it allows hood 2 to be pulled tighter or looser around the user's face 8. For example, if the user wants, in the connected state, no gap between side 6A and side 6B, support 134B should be displaced toward inferior component 122B in order to reduce/minimize the total length of connector element 120B. If the user wants, in the connected state, a gap between side 6A and side 6B, support 134B should be displaced away from inferior component 122B in order to increase the total length of connector element 120B.
To assemble connector element 120B, hood 2 should be positioned between inferior component 122B and superior component 126B, in the unclamped state. Then, lever 132B is rotated thereby displacing superior component 126B toward inferior component 122B to squeeze hood 2 therebetween, forming the clamped state (see
Once connector elements 120A and 120B are clamped to hood 2 they are drawn together and magnet 136A engages with magnet 36B.
In some embodiments, connector assembly 110 further comprises face covering assembly 150. Face covering assembly 150 comprises face cover 152 and magnet 154. Magnet 154 is fixedly secured to face cover 152 and is operatively arranged to be removably connected to magnet 138. Face cover 152 is designed to cover at least a portion of the user's face 8. In some embodiments, face cover 152 comprises a decorative or ornamental design or facade, such as fake lips or a Halloween mask. In some embodiments, face cover 152 comprises a medical face mask or face mask operatively arranged to limit the flow of particles to a person's face or from a person's face. For example, a surgical or COVID-19 mask may be secured to at least one of connector elements 120A-B via magnetic connection. When the mask becomes soiled, it can be removed and washed or replaced with a new mask.
In some embodiments, connector assembly 110 may further comprise a layer of material on a surface directed toward the user's face 8. For example, connector element 120A comprises layer 140A and connector element 120B comprises layer 140B. In some embodiments, layer 140A comprises silicone or another polymer and is arranged at least partially on at least one of lever 132A and support 134A. Layer 140A is operatively arranged to contact the user's face 8. Thus, the material of layer 140A should be soft such that it is comfortable on skin. In some embodiments, layer 140B comprises silicone or another polymer and is arranged at least partially on at least one of lever 132B and support 134B. Layer 140B is operatively arranged to contact the user's face 8. Thus, the material of layer 140B should be soft such that it is comfortable on skin.
It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, connector elements 20A-B, 120A-B connect to hood 2 via a magnetic connection instead of a clamping clip-type connection.
It will be appreciated that various aspects of the disclosure above and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
