HOOD CINCH SYSTEM

Abstract

A garment that includes a body and a hood. The hood has a hood cinch system that allows the hood to be gathered or cinched to a back portion adjacent a base of the hood when the hood is not deployed. By activating the hood cinch system, the movement of the hood in the wind or breeze is reduced, thus providing a less distracting experience during certain sports played outside. For example, when taking a golf shot, the cinched down hood is less likely to cause a distraction and result in a mishit.

Description

BACKGROUND

Jackets, coats, pullovers, hoodies, or other similar garments that are worn in brisk, chilly or cold weather environments may have a variety of features to improve the protection and/or overall comfort of the wearer. For instance, jackets may include waterproofing features, wind protection features, insulation, etc. Some jackets may also include a hood to protect the wearer's head. These garments may also include features that improve their utility and usefulness in a variety of circumstances.

It is with respect to these and other general considerations that the aspects disclosed herein have been made. Also, although relatively specific problems may be discussed, it should be understood that the examples should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background or elsewhere in this disclosure.

SUMMARY

Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for an improved garment such as a hoodie or pullover with a hood. In an aspect, the present technology relates to a garment that includes a hood and a hood cinch system.

In an example, a garment is provided having a body, and a hood having a top portion, a back portion, first and second side portions and a base, forming a front face opening, the hood having an outer layer, an inner liner and a hood cinch system. The hood cinch system includes a cord loop having an interior cord portion extending between the outer layer and the inner liner, the cord loop extending from the front face opening to the back portion adjacent the base of the hood, the cord loop having an exterior cord portion adjacent the base of the hood. The exterior cord portion may be pulled and lengthened to cinch the front face opening of the hood to the base of the hood.

The interior cord portion may have two sections that are substantially parallel to each other. The two sections may be provided about 0.5 to about 5 inches apart. In another embodiment, the two sections may be provided about 1 and about 3 inches apart. The interior cord portion may have two sections provided extending along the first and second side portions of the hood at a downward angle to the back portion adjacent the base of the hood. The interior cord portion may extend outside the hood at first and second openings provided adjacent the base of the hood, and the first and second openings may be provided about 0.5 to about 6 inches apart and the exterior cord portion may extend therebetween. In another embodiment, the first and second openings may be provided about 1 to about 2 inches apart. The cord loop may be secured to the hood adjacent the front face opening. The exterior cord portion may have a self-locking grommet. A pull cord may be provided in a pocket adjacent about the front face opening.

In another embodiment, a garment is provided having a body, and a hood having a top portion, a back portion, first and second side portions and a base, the hood forming a front face opening, the hood having an outer layer, an inner liner and a hood cinch system. The hood cinch system includes a cord having two cord ends, the two cord ends being secured between the outer layer and the inner liner of the hood, the cord has two interior cord portions extending from the secured two cord ends to the back portion adjacent the base of the hood, the cord having an exterior cord portion at the base of the hood. The exterior cord portion may be pulled and lengthened to gather the top portion, the back portion, and the first and second side portions of the hood adjacent to the base of the hood.

The two interior cord portions may be substantially parallel to each other. The two interior cord portions may be about 0.5 to about 5 inches apart. In another embodiment, the two interior cord portions may be about 1 and about 3 inches apart. The two interior cord portions may extend along the first and second side portions of the hood at a downward angle to the back portion adjacent the base of the hood. The two interior cord portions may form an angle to the base of the hood of about 40 to about 75 degrees. The two interior cord portions may extend outside the hood at first and second openings provided adjacent the base of the hood, and the first and second openings may be provided about 0.5 to about 6 inches apart and the exterior cord portion may extend therebetween. In another embodiment, the first and second openings may be provided about 1 to about 2 inches apart. The two cord ends may be secured at two points substantially a same distance apart as the first and second openings at the base of the hood. The two cord ends may be secured at the two points farther apart than the first and second openings at the base of the hood. The two cord ends may be secured to the hood adjacent the front face opening. The two cord ends may be secured about 8 inches to about 12 inches apart. In another embodiment, the two cord ends may be secured about 1 to 4 inches apart. The two cord ends may be secured adjacent the back portion of the hood about 4 to about 10 inches from the base of the hood. The exterior cord portion of the cord may have a self-locking grommet.

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 is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional aspects, features, and/or advantages of examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a back view of a garment with a hood cinch system.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the garment of FIG. 1 with the hood cinch system.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the garment of FIG. 1 with the hood cinch system.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the garment of FIG. 1 with the hood cinch system activated.

FIG. 5 depicts a back view of a garment with another embodiment of a hood cinch system.

FIG. 6 depicts a front view of the garment of FIG. 5 with the hood cinch system.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of the garment of FIG. 5 with the hood cinch system.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the garment of FIG. 5 with the hood cinch system activated.

FIG. 9 depicts a back view of a garment with another embodiment of a hood cinch system.

FIG. 10 depicts a front view of the garment of FIG. 9 with the hood cinch system.

FIG. 11 depicts a side view of the garment of FIG. 9 with the hood cinch system.

FIG. 12 depicts a side view of the garment of FIG. 9 with the hood cinch system activated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, garments that are intended for use in brisk, chilly or cold weather environments have a variety of features that improve the protection, comfort, and/or utility of the garments. Such garments, may include coats, jackets, sweaters, base layers, quarter zip shirts, half-zip shirts, pullovers or hoodies etc. While the present application primarily discusses the technology in terms of a “garment” and particularly a hoodie or pullover with a hood, it should be appreciated that the features discussed herein may be incorporated into any type of garment for which the feature would be beneficial.

Among other things, the present technology includes a garment with a hood having a hood cinch system. The hood cinch system provides for the hood to be cinched at the back of the neck of a wearer so that it will not flap in the breeze or windy conditions. In addition, the hood cinch system is activated separately from any draw string that allows a wearer to pull the hood closer to the outside of the face (a face draw string), which may allow protection of the head from the environment (snow, rain, sun, wind etc.) when the hood is in use. It will be appreciated that the garment may not have a draw string to close the hood around the wearer's face. Moreover, the hood cinch system prevents the hood from being cinched around a wearer's neck, such as would occur when pulling on the ends of a face draw string when the hood is not on the wearer's head. Having the hood pulled around or against a wearer's neck, such as when pulling on the draw string, may be disruptive and uncomfortable.

FIG. 1 depicts a back view of an example hooded garment 100 with a hood 102 and a hood cinch system 104 in a non-cinched or gathered state according to the invention. FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the hooded garment 100 with the hood cinch system 104. FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the hooded garment 100 with the hood cinch system 104. FIGS. 1-3 are discussed concurrently.

The hooded garment 100 includes a body 106 and a hood 102, and the hooded garment here is depicted as a pullover hooded sweatshirt. It will be understood that, although the garment is depicted as a hooded sweatshirt, the garment could be any suitable garment including a jacket with a collar, a right chest panel, a left chest panel and a zipper connecting the left and right chest panels and having a hood. Alternatively, the hooded garment may be an under layer with a hood, so the hooded garment does not have to be an outer layer.

The hood 102 may be attached to a body 106 of the hooded garment 100 via stitching, bonding, or any other suitable attachment means. The body 106 of the hooded garment 100 may have any desired construction. As is known, the hood 102 may feature a draw string 108 with first and second draw string ends 110, 112, the draw string is provided in an internal pocket 114 having two openings 116, 118 located about a face opening 120, the first and second draw string ends 110, 112 extend from the openings 116, 118 of the pocket 114, such that a wearer may pull the ends of the draw string to adjust the hood 102 tight around the wearer's face, for example to deter wind or rain from entering the hooded garment.

Often, even in breezy or windy weather conditions, it is not desired to wear the hood 102 on the head. The hood 102 then rests loose adjacent a back side 122 of the body 106. The hood 102 may then flap or move in the breeze. This flapping of the hood may be disruptive to certain activities, such as when the wearer is playing golf and taking a golf shot. Thus, the hood cinch system 104 allows the movement of the hood 102 to be reduced when the hood is not in use. The present invention seeks to provide a hood that, when not on the head of a wearer, may be cinched or gathered adjacent to where the hood is connected to the body 106 of the hooded garment. Thus, hood movement in the wind or breeze is reduced and a wearer will be less disrupted by the hood when an activity requires focus and concentration, and the hood secured in this manner is less likely to obstruct the sight of a wearer.

As illustrated in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the hood 102 features an outer layer 124 and an inner liner 126. The hood 102 has a top portion 128, first and second side portions 130, 132, a back portion 134 and a base 136. The hood forms a hood face opening 120. A cord loop 140 is provided between the outer layer 124 and the inner liner 126 and the cord loop 140 extends from the face opening 120, for example in this embodiment adjacent the pocket 114, and extends through a top portion 128 of the hood and extends down the back portion 134 of the hood to the base 136 of the hood adjacent to the body 106 of the hooded garment 100. As is shown in the drawing, an interior cord portion 142, shown in red, is provided between the outer layer 124 and inner liner 126 and cannot be seen. The interior cord portion 142 extends outside the hood at first and second openings 144, 146 provided adjacent the base 136 of the hood. Preferably, the first and second openings 144, 146 are provided about 0.5 to about 6 inches apart and an exterior cord portion 148 extends therebetween, more preferably about the first and second openings 144, 146 are provided about 1 to about 2 inches apart.

The exterior cord portion 148 may be grasped and pulled lengthening the exterior cord portion 148. Preferably, the exposed portion of the elastic cord loop is provided with a self-locking grommet 150 that may be rubber. As is shown in FIG. 4, when the exterior cord portion 148 of the cord loop 140 is pulled and lengthened the hood 102 may be cinched or gathered against the base 136 of the hood adjacent a top of the body 106 of the garment, thus reducing or preventing the hood from moving or flapping in the wind or a breeze. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cord loop 140 features two sections 152, 154 of the interior cord portion 142 extending between the outer layer 124 and the inner liner 126 that are substantially parallel to each other each that they are about the same distance apart, preferably the two sections 152, 154 are between about 0.5 and 5 inches apart, more preferably between about 1 and about 3 inches apart. The cord loop 140 in this embodiment is secured adjacent the face opening 120 at the top portion 128 of the hood, and in this embodiment adjacent the pocket 114 containing the draw string. Thus, pulling and lengthening the exterior cord portion 148 causes the secured part of the cord loop with the hood to be drawn and cinched or gathered adjacent the base 136 of the hood, thus reducing the movement of the hood. Preferably, the cord loop 140 is bar tacked to secure it in place. It will be appreciated that although the cord in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 is shown and described as a loop, it could instead be a cord with two ends, with each end being secured or bar tacked to the adjacent the face opening of the hood.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the hood features an outer layer 124 and an inner liner 126. The hood 102 has a top portion 128, first and second side portions 130, 132, a back portion 134 and a base 136. The hood 102 forms a face opening 120. A cord 156 having two cord ends 158, 160 is provided between the outer layer 124 and the inner liner 126. The cord extends from the face opening 120, for example the two cord ends 158, 160 are provided in this embodiment adjacent the pocket 114 and extend through first and second side portions 130, 132 of the hood 102 at a downward angle to the back portion 134 of the hood to the base 136 of the hood adjacent to the body 106 of the hooded garment 100. The cord ends 158, 160 may be secured or bar tacked adjacent to the face opening 120 of the hood adjacent the pocket 114 containing the draw string 108, preferably the cord ends 158, 160 are secured at about 2 to about 6 inches from the top portion 128 of the hood. The two cord ends 158, 160 are secured about 8 inches to about 12 inches apart. It will be appreciated that although the cord 156 in the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8 is not shown as a loop, it could be a loop with a section of the loop running along the top of the face opening 120 of the hood.

As is shown in the drawing, an interior cord portion 142, shown here in red, is provided between the outer layer 124 and the inner liner 126 and cannot be seen. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cord 156 features two interior cord portions 142 extending between the outer layer 124 and the inner liner 126 that extend from the face opening 120 along the first and second side portions 130, 132 of the hood at a downward angle to the back portion 134 adjacent the base 136 of the hood. Preferably, each interior cord portion 142 forms an angle to the base 136 of the hood of about 40 to about 75 degrees. The interior cord portions 142 extend outside the hood at first and second openings 144, 146 provided adjacent the base 136 of the hood 102. Preferably, the first and second openings 144, 146 are provided about 0.5 to about 6 inches apart and an exterior cord portion 148 extends therebetween. As shown in FIG. 6, the first and second openings 144, 146 are about 4 to about 6 inches apart. As shown, preferably in this embodiment, the two cord ends 158, 160 are secured at two points farther apart than the first and second openings 144, 146 at the base 136 of the hood.

The exterior cord portion 148 may be grasped and pulled lengthening the exterior cord portion 148. Preferably, the exposed portion of the cord 156 is provided with a self-locking grommet 150. As is shown in FIG. 8, when the exterior cord portion 148 of the cord 156 is pulled and lengthened the hood may be cinched or gathered against the base 136 of the hood adjacent a top of the body 106 of the hooded garment, thus reducing or preventing the hood from moving or flapping in the wind or a breeze. It will be appreciated that pulling and lengthening the exterior cord portion 148 causes the secured cord ends 158, 160 with the hood to be drawn and cinched or gathered adjacent the base 136 of the hood, thus reducing the movement of the hood.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, as discussed previously the hood 102 features an outer layer 124 and an inner liner 126. The hood 102 has a top portion 128, first and second side portions 130, 132, a back portion 134 and a base 136. The hood forms a face opening 120. A cord 156 having two cord ends 158, 160 is provided between the outer layer 124 and the inner liner 126. As is shown in the drawing, two interior cord portions 142, shown here in red, is provided between the outer layer 124 and the inner liner 126 and cannot be seen. For example, the two cord ends 158, 160 are provided in this embodiment secured adjacent the back portion 134 of the hood and extend downwardly to the to the base 136 of the hood adjacent to the body 106 of the hooded garment 100. The cord ends 158, 160 may be secured or bar tacked, to the hood. The two cord ends 158, 160 are secured about 4 inches to about 8 inches apart. The hood has a width w and a height h. Preferably, the cord ends 158, 160 are secured between one-third and two-thirds of the height h from the base 136 of the hood, and more preferably at about one-half the height h of the hood. Preferably the cord ends 158, 160 are secured between about 6 and about 10 inches from the base 136 of the hood. The interior cord portions then extend downwardly through the back portion 134 of the hood to the base 136 of the hood adjacent to the body 106 of the hooded garment 100. It will be appreciated that although the cord in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 is not shown as a loop, that it could be a loop with a section of the loop running horizontally between the two secured ends in this embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cord features two interior cord portions 142 extending through the back portion 134 of the hood that extend at a downward angle to the base 136 of the hood. Preferably, each interior cord portion 142 forms an angle to the base 136 of the hood of about 40 to about 75 degrees. The interior cord portion 142 extends outside the hood at first and second openings 144, 146 provided adjacent the base 136 of the hood. Preferably, the first and second openings 144, 146 are provided about 0.5 to about 6 inches apart and an exterior cord portion 148 extends therebetween. As shown in FIG. 10, the first and second openings are about 1 to about 2 inches apart. As shown, preferably in this embodiment, the two cord ends 158, 160 are secured to the hood at two points farther apart than the first and second openings 144, 146 at the base 136 of the hood.

The exterior cord portion 148 may be grasped and pulled lengthening the exterior cord portion. Preferably, the exposed portion of the cord 156 is provided with a self-locking grommet 150, which may be made of rubber. As is shown in FIG. 12, when the exterior cord portion 148 of the cord 156 is pulled and lengthened the hood 102 may be cinched or gathered against the base 136 of the hood adjacent a top of the body 106 of the hooded garment 100, thus reducing or preventing the hood from moving or flapping in the wind or a breeze. It will be appreciated that pulling and lengthening the exterior cord portion 148 causes the secured cord ends 158, 160 with the hood to be drawn and cinched or gathered adjacent the base 136 of the hood to reduce the movement of the hood.

The inner liner may be any suitable fabric liner, including a mesh. The outer layer may be any suitable fabric for the garment including jersey and knit material or waterproof or water-resistant fabric. The cord is preferably a ⅛-inch elastic cord. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable cord or string may be used. The embodiments are shown with a rubber locking grommet. It will be appreciated that any cord locking device could be used to prevent slippage of the cord once it is tightened.

Although specific devices have been recited throughout the disclosure as performing specific functions, one of skill in the art will appreciate that these devices are provided for illustrative purposes, and other devices may be employed to perform the functionality disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. This disclosure describes some embodiments of the present technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some of the possible embodiments were shown. Other aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments were provided so that this disclosure was thorough and complete and fully conveyed the scope of the possible embodiments to those skilled in the art. Further, as used herein and in the claims, the phrase “at least one of element A, element B, or element C” is intended to convey any of: element A, element B, element C, elements A and B, elements A and C, elements B and C, and elements A, B, and C. Further, one having skill in the art will understand the degree to which terms such as “about” or “substantially” convey in light of the measurement techniques utilized herein. To the extent such terms may not be clearly defined or understood by one having skill in the art, the term “about” shall mean plus or minus ten percent.

Although specific embodiments are described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to those specific embodiments. Moreover, while different examples and embodiments may be described separately, such embodiments and examples may be combined with one another in implementing the technology described herein. One skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments or improvements that are within the scope and spirit of the present technology. Therefore, the specific structure, acts, or components are disclosed only as illustrative embodiments. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.

Claims

1. A garment comprising: a body; anda hood having a top portion, a back portion, first and second side portions and a base, forming a front face opening, the hood having an outer layer, an inner liner and a hood cinch system, the hood cinch system comprising, a cord loop having an interior cord portion extending between the outer layer and the inner liner, the cord loop extending from the front face opening to the back portion adjacent the base of the hood, the cord loop having an exterior cord portion adjacent the base of the hood,wherein the exterior cord portion may be pulled and lengthened to cinch the front face opening of the hood to the base of the hood.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the interior cord portion has two sections that are substantially parallel to each other.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the two sections are provided about 0.5 to about 5 inches apart.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the two sections are provided about 1 and about 3 inches apart.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the interior cord portion has two sections provided extending along the first and second side portions of the hood at a downward angle to the back portion adjacent the base of the hood.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the interior cord portion extends outside the hood at first and second openings provided adjacent the base of the hood, and wherein the first and second openings are provided about 0.5 to about 6 inches apart and the exterior cord portion extends therebetween.

7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the first and second openings are provided about 1 to about 2 inches apart.

8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the cord loop is secured to the hood adjacent the front face opening.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the exterior cord portion has a self-locking grommet.

10. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a pull cord provided in a pocket adjacent about the front face opening.

11. A garment comprising: a body; anda hood having a top portion, a back portion, first and second side portions and a base, the hood forming a front face opening, the hood having an outer layer, an inner liner and a hood cinch system, the hood cinch system comprising, a cord having two cord ends, the two cord ends being secured between the outer layer and the inner liner of the hood, the cord having two interior cord portions extending from the secured two cord ends to the back portion adjacent the base of the hood, the cord having an exterior cord portion at the base of the hood,wherein the exterior cord portion may be pulled and lengthened to gather the top portion, the back portion, and the first and second side portions of the hood adjacent to the base of the hood.

12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the two interior cord portions are substantially parallel to each other.

13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the two interior cord portions are about 0.5 to about 5 inches apart.

14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the two interior cord portions are about 1 and about 3 inches apart.

15. The garment of claim 11, wherein the two interior cord portions extend along the first and second side portions of the hood at a downward angle to the back portion adjacent the base of the hood.

16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the two interior cord portions form an angle to the base of the hood of about 40 to about 75 degrees.

17. The garment of claim 11, wherein the two interior cord portions extend outside the hood at first and second openings provided adjacent the base of the hood, and wherein the first and second openings are provided about 0.5 to about 6 inches apart and the exterior cord portion extends therebetween.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the first and second openings are provided about 1 to about 2 inches apart.

19. The garment of claim 18, wherein the two cord ends are secured at two points substantially a same distance apart as the first and second openings at the base of the hood.

20. The garment of claim 19, wherein the two cord ends are secured at the two points farther apart than the first and second openings at the base of the hood.

21. The garment of claim 11, wherein the two cord ends are secured to the hood adjacent the front face opening.

22. The garment of claim 21, wherein the two cord ends are secured about 8 inches to about 12 inches apart.

23. The garment of claim 21, wherein the two cord ends are secured about 1 to 4 inches apart.

24. The garment of claim 11, wherein the two cord ends are secured adjacent the back portion of the hood about 4 to about 10 inches from the base of the hood.

25. The garment of claim 11, wherein the exterior cord portion of the cord has a self-locking grommet.