HOOD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

See Application Data Sheet.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a hood, in particular to such a hood that is arranged for attachment to a scarf or strap for securement to a wearer. It further relates to a two-part hood, which comprises the hood arranged for attachment to a scarf or strap and a further hood.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

Hoods are a widely used feature of clothing. Hoods cover the head of a wearer and have a number of readily appreciable benefits, not least shielding the head of the wearer from the elements. They are also provided as a fashion item. Many items of clothing, not least coats and jackets are provided with hoods that are permanently or removably attached.

Coats with detachable hoods: Some jackets and coats have hoods that are detachable and attached to the coat with complementary attachment features, such as zips, press studs, or hook and loop fasteners. Once the hood is attached to the coat it will not shift around. The detached hood cannot be used on its own and cannot be used with another coat.

Scarves with permanently attached hoods: The scarf keeps the hood in place and stops it from blowing off. But because the hood is permanently attached to the scarf, the user is limited to always using the same scarf and hood combination. The scarf and hood cannot be used in isolation from one another.

Scarves with detachable hoods: Other known designs include scarves with detachable hoods, however, with these prior art designs, the hood and scarf need to be adapted to contain complementary attachments, such as matching zips, press studs, or hook and loop fasteners. Whilst the scarf may be used on its own, the hood cannot.

Standalone hoods: Conventional standalone hoods, whilst overcoming the limitations of the arrangements above, require tethers or fasteners that connect under the chin to pull the hood around the neck and/or around the face to pull the hood closer to the sides of the face to restrict the hood's movement and suitably secure the hood to the wearer. This leads to significant issues in respect of comfort and aesthetics. The hood is pulled in around the neck or face, which is uncomfortable. Moreover, the look is not flattering. This contrasts with hoods that attach to jackets or coats. Hoods that attach to jackets and coats are positioned slightly away from the face. In addition, the lower edge of these hoods are typically attached to, or attached adjacent to, the collar seam of the jacket or coat (the collar seam of a coat and jacket being positioned on the shoulders and around the neck area).

The resultant differences from attached hoods serve only to highlight the standalone hood as separate articles to the jackets or coats. It has significantly hindered the uptake of such hoods.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention arose in a bid to provide an improved stand-alone hood obviating the limitations of the prior art arrangements. Namely, a stand-alone hood that allows for securement to a wearer without limitation to any specific garment, whilst maintaining a comfortable and flattering form with the sides of an opening of the hood spaced from the wearer's face, in the manner of a conventional hood attached to a coat or jacket.

It is clear that an improved stand-alone hood offers numerous benefits. For example, it provides a compact, readily transportable, alternative to an umbrella. Moreover, a stand-alone hood allows for the provision of a hood with any jacket or coat, regardless of its design.

Representative features are set out in the following clauses, which stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and/or drawings of the specification.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a hood for attachment to a scarf or strap, the hood, in use, comprising a lower edge that extends between right and left front side edges of a front opening and around the back of a wearer's neck, an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, wherein the hood comprises an attachment means, which is provided on the inner surface and extends no lower than the lower edge, wherein the attachment means defines an opening through which the scarf or strap can be passed for attaching the scarf or strap to the hood, such that the scarf or strap retains the hood on the wearer's head, and the attachment means is configured to engage the scarf or strap adjacent each of the right and left front side edges and at an intermediate point between the right and left front side edges.

The attachment means may comprise a plurality of loops attached to the inner surface adjacent the lower edge.

A first loop may be provided at or adjacent to the right front side edge, a second loop may be provided at or adjacent to the left front side edge, and a third loop may be provided intermediate the right and left front side edges. The third loop may be provided at a mid-point between the right and left front side edges.

One or more of the loops may extend substantially vertically. The loops may be stretchable.

One or more of the loops may comprise a bottom edge portion that is attached to the inner surface adjacent to the lower edge and an upper edge portion that is attached to the inner surface at a level above the bottom edge portion, and wherein the bottom and upper edge portions may be permanently attached to the inner surface, or the upper edge portion may be permanently attached and the bottom edge portion may be removably attached to the inner surface, or the bottom edge portion may be permanently attached and the upper edge portion may be removably attached to the inner surface.

One or more of the loops may be permanently attached to the inner surface, comprise a bottom edge portion and an upper edge portion, and be separable in a middle portion between the upper and bottom edges.

One or more of the loops may comprise one or more fasteners for reducing the size of the opening. The one or more fasteners may be provided continuously or discontinuously along an entire vertical length of the loops, or a region at either the top or the bottom of the loop(s) may be provided that omits the fastener(s). The one or more fasteners may comprise press studs, hook and loop fasteners, or buttons.

One or more of the loops may be separable, comprising first and second end portions and a fastener for joining the ends to one another to define a closed loop, and the inner surface may be provided with a pair of spaced openings through which the loop is fed for securing the loop to the hood.

The attachment means may comprise a tube attached to the inner surface adjacent the lower edge.

The tube may have a first end attached at or adjacent to the right front side edge, a second end attached at or adjacent to the left front side edge, and wherein the tube may be attached at a point intermediate the right and left front side edges.

The tube may be attached to the inner surface substantially continuously between the first and second ends or may be attached to the inner surface discontinuously at one or more attachment points intermediate the first and second ends.

The first and second ends may extend substantially vertically.

The tube may be stretchable.

The tube may comprise a bottom edge portion that is attached to the inner surface adjacent to the lower edge and an upper edge portion that is attached to the inner surface at a level above the bottom edge portion, and wherein the bottom and upper edge portions may be permanently attached to the inner surface, or the upper edge portion may be permanently attached and the bottom edge portion may be removably attached to the inner surface, or the bottom edge portion may be permanently attached and the upper edge portion may be removably attached to the inner surface.

The tube may comprise a bottom edge portion and an upper edge portion, and may be separable in a middle portion between the upper and bottom edges.

The tube may comprise one or more fasteners adjacent each of the first and second ends for reducing the size of the opening at the first and second ends.

The one or more fasteners may be provided continuously or discontinuously along an entire vertical length of the loops, or a region at either the top or the bottom of the loop(s) may be provided that omits the fastener(s).

The one or more fasteners may comprise press studs, hook and loop fasteners, or buttons.

According to the present invention in a further aspect, there is provided a two-part hood, which comprises a first hood, as defined by any of the preceding statements, and a second hood, the first hood and the second hood forming separable parts of the two-part hood, and the two-part hood comprising additional attachment means for separably attaching the first and second hoods to one another.

The second hood may also be a hood as defined by any of the preceding statements.

The first and second hoods, which themselves may comprise multiple layers, may be considered to each comprise a separable layer of the two-part hood.

The additional attachment means may comprise complementary fasteners on the first and second hoods, which may comprise zips, press studs, buttons, magnets, or hook and loop fasteners. The additional attachment means may alternatively be provided on only one of the first and second hoods.

The first hood may be attached to an inner surface of the second hood or, alternatively, the second hood may be attached to the inner surface of the first hood. In the latter arrangement, one or more through openings are preferably provided in the second hood for receiving the attachment means therethrough.

The second hood may comprise an inner layer, which defines an inner surface and an outer layer, which defines an outer surface, wherein a void is defined between the inner and outer layers, and the first hood is received within the void. One or more through openings may be provided in the inner layer of the second hood for receiving the attachment means therethrough.

The first hood may comprise an inner layer, which defines the inner surface and an outer layer, which defines the outer surface, wherein a void is defined between the inner and outer layers, and the second hood is received within the void.

A closure for closing the void is preferably provided. The closure may comprise a zip, press studs, buttons, magnets, or hook and loop fasteners.

The first and second hoods are preferably substantially the same size and shape as one another. Otherwise, one of the first and second hoods may be smaller than the other of the first and second hoods so as to fit inside that hood.

The first hood preferably has a lighter weight than the second hood.

The first hood and/or the second hood may be waterproof.

The additional attachment means may comprise a magnetic flap on one of the first and second hoods. The magnetic flap may be provided along an edge of one of the first and second hoods. The magnetic flap may be configured to trap an edge of the other of the first and second hoods therein. The trapped hood may be held in place by the flap whilst being sandwiched between a portion of the hood and the flap with the flap magnetically attracted to the portion of the hood.

The additional attachment means may be provided adjacent an edge defining the front opening of the hood(s), they may additionally or alternatively be provided adjacent a lower edge of the hood(s). The additional attachment means may further still, additionally or alternatively, be provided in one or more positions spaced inwards from the edges, such as at a point generally coincident with the crown of a wearer's head, in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a hood according to a first embodiment on the head of a wearer.

FIG. 2 shows a rear elevation view of the hood of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of the hood of FIG. 1 in isolation.

FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of the hood of FIG. 1 in use with a scarf used to secure the hood to a wearer.

FIG. 5 shows a front elevation view similar to FIG. 4 showing a possible modification to the loops of the hood of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows perspective views of a loop from the arrangement of FIG. 5 in isolation in a fully open configuration and in a fully closed configuration.

FIG. 7 shows a front elevation view of a hood according to a second embodiment on a wearer's head without a scarf present.

FIG. 8 shows a front elevation view of the hood of FIG. 7 in use with a scarf used to secure the hood to a wearer.

FIG. 9 shows a front elevation view similar to FIG. 8 showing a possible modification to the tube of the hood of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 shows a sectional plan view of the hood according to FIG. 1 in use, demonstrating the operating principles of hoods according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a side elevation view of the arrangement of FIG. 10 including relevant hidden detail.

FIG. 12 shows a front elevation view of a hood according to the first embodiment with modified loops.

FIG. 13 shows a front elevation view of a hood according to the first embodiment with alternatively modified loops.

FIG. 14 shows a front elevation view of a hood according to the first embodiment with alternatively modified loops, which are detachable and which are arranged to loop through openings on an inner surface of the hood.

FIG. 15 shows perspective views of a loop for use in the arrangement of FIG. 14 in a closed and in an open configuration.

FIG. 16 shows a front elevation view of a hood according to the second embodiment with a modified tube.

FIG. 17 shows a front elevation view of a hood according to the second embodiment with an alternatively modified tube.

FIG. 18 shows perspective views of a two-part hood according to an embodiment in which a second hood is received within a first hood, the figure shows first and second hoods of the two-part hood separately and in combination.

FIG. 19 shows a two-part hood according to an alternative embodiment in which a first hood is received within a second hood, the figure shows first and second hoods of the two-part hood separately and in combination.

FIG. 20 shows perspective views of a two-part hood according to an embodiment in which a first hood is received within a void within a second hood, the figure shows first and second hoods of the two-part hood separately and in combination.

FIG. 21 shows perspective views of a two-part hood according to an alternative embodiment in which a second hood is received within a void within a first hood, the figure shows first and second hoods of the two-part hood separately and in combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is shown a hood 1 for attachment to a scarf 20 or strap, according to a first embodiment.

The hood is most preferably arranged for attachment to a scarf. It may, however, be attached to a strap instead. Whilst the description below generally refers to scarves, it must be appreciated that straps may be used in place of the scarf in respect of any discussed arrangement. For example, where a two-part hood is provided with a lightweight first hood, this may be used in isolation of the second hood with a provided strap.

The hood 1, in use, comprises a lower edge 2 that extends between right and left front side edges 3, 4 of a front opening 5 and around the back of a wearer's neck, an inner surface 6, which may contact the head of the user in use, and an opposed outer surface 7. The hood 1 further comprises an attachment means 8, which is provided on the inner surface 6 and extends no lower than the lower edge 2. The attachment means 8 defines an opening 9 through which the scarf 20 can be passed for attaching the scarf 20 to the hood 1, such that the scarf 20 retains the hood on the wearer's head. The attachment means 8 is configured to engage the scarf 20 adjacent each of the right and left front side edges 3, 4 and at an intermediate point between the right and left front side edges 3, 4.

In the present embodiment, the attachment means 8 comprises a plurality of loops 8a, 8b, 8c, which are attached to the inner surface 6 of the hood 1. They are most preferably attached to the inner surface 6 adjacent the lower edge 2, as shown. They may extend to the lower edge 2. In the present embodiment, there are three loops provided, wherein a first loop 8a is provided at or adjacent to the right front side edge 3, a second loop 8b is provided at or adjacent to the left front side edge 4, and a third loop 8c is provided intermediate the right and left front side edges 3, 4. The third loop 8c in the present arrangement is provided at a mid-point between the right and left front side edges 3, 4, as is preferred.

It is preferable for the loops and tube openings to be placed on or adjacent to the front side edges 3, 4 because the closer they are positioned to the front side edges, the greater the control the scarf has over the movements of the side panels of the hood, which is beneficial for securement of the hood. Conversely, the further back the loops/tube openings are from the front side edges, the less control the scarf has over the movements of the sides of the hood, and the less secure the hood.

It should be appreciated that there may be more or less loops provided in alternative arrangements. In arrangements comprising more than three loops there may be a number of loops provided intermediate the first and second loops 8a, 8b.

The loops may be all be identical to one another or may vary in form and/or vertical location or orientation to one another. For example, any intermediate loops may have a different form to the first and second loops.

One or more or all of the loops 8a, 8b, 8c is preferably oriented to be substantially vertically, in use, as shown. That is longitudinal axes of the loops extend substantially vertically. It is preferable that at least the first and second loops 8a, 8b are oriented substantially vertically. The loops may be otherwise oriented. The intermediate loop 8c may further be substantially vertical to assist in the scarf passing evenly through the loop.

When scarf is pulled against the loops it engages with the side of the loop adjacent the neck and a resistance is formed. The greater the resistance, the greater the control the scarf has over the movement of the sides of the hood (and therefore, the greater the securement of the hood). When the loops are all vertical, there can be the benefit that the scarf engages evenly with the loops and creates an even and consistent tension.

The loops are preferably stretchable. They may be rendered stretchable by use of suitable elasticated material or otherwise, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is to be noted, however, that they need not be stretchable. In some arrangements, they may be non-stretchable. In another arrangement, a single loop may be made up of a combination of stretchy and non-stretchy material.

The loops preferably each comprise a bottom edge portion that is attached to the inner surface 6 adjacent to the lower edge 2 and an upper edge portion that is attached to the inner surface 6 at a level above the bottom edge portion (and its attachment point). The loops are most preferably permanently attached to the hood by stitching or otherwise. They may be attached such that the bottom and upper edge portions are permanently attached to the inner surface, i.e. such that they provide permanently fixed and permanently closed loops. They may alternatively be arranged so that the upper edge portion is permanently attached and the bottom edge portion is removably attached to the inner surface, or conversely so that the bottom edge portion is permanently attached and the upper edge portion is removably attached to the inner surface. This is preferable for easy access of the scarf. Since a scarf naturally falls to the bottom of a loop or tube, if the bottom edge portion is removable, it is more difficult to add a scarf, which will tend to fall out.

By any of these arrangements, the loops may be opened up, for example, during attachment to a scarf 20. Some hoods may also have a combination of loops of different form, such as a preformed fixed loop at the back but the front loops open at the top).

With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown an arrangement according to the first embodiment in which the loops comprise one or more fasteners 11 for reducing the size of the opening 9. One or more or all of the loops may be provided with the one or more fasteners 11 preferably on the internal faces of the loops. It may be that only the first and second loops 8a, 8b are provided with the one or more fasteners 11. FIG. 6 shows close up views of an exemplary loop provided with a plurality of fasteners 11 in a fully open and a fully closed configuration. In the present arrangement, the fasteners 11 comprise press studs. It should be appreciated that the form of the one or more fasteners 11 is not limited. Various alternative fasteners may be used, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, including but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, buttons, magnets or otherwise. In the depicted arrangement there are, purely by way of example, four press-studs provided on the inner faces of the loop, thereby providing five different possible opening sizes.

By varying the size of the opening, using whatever means, the vertical position/extent of scarves of different sizes may be suitably controlled at the loops thus providing a number of benefits, including but not limited to:

- (1) Scarves of different widths and/or thicknesses can be used. Also, a narrow/thin scarf can be passed through the loops several times, creating width.
- (2) By reducing the size of the opening, the scarf is restricted more inside the loop and so engages more with the side of the loops adjacent the neck. This increases the tension and therefore increases the control of movements over the sides of the hood.
- (3) Aesthetics are improved—it looks better not to have big gaping openings at the side of the hood for everyone to see.

There may be fastener(s) 11 provided continuously or discontinuously along the entire vertical length of the loops. Alternatively, there may be a region at the top or, more preferably, the bottom of the loops that omits the fastener(s) 11. This is more preferable because a scarf typically lies at the bottom of a loop or tube and so it is more convenient if the size of the openings can be altered above the scarf. In addition, the position of the scarf would be unaffected by the size of the opening above it.

It is most preferable that the fastener(s) 11 are arranged so that an opening extending to a bottom of the loop may have its vertical extent varied by engaging or disengaging the fastener(s) as appropriate, as is the case with the depicted arrangement.

With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, there is shown a hood according to a second embodiment. In this arrangement, the loops of the first embodiment are replaced by a tube 10.

The tube 10 is preferably attached to the inner surface 6 adjacent the lower edge 2, as shown. It may extend to the lower edge 2. The tube 10 preferably has a first end 10a attached at or adjacent to the right front side edge 3, a second end 10b attached at or adjacent to the left front side edge 4, and is further attached to the inner surface 6 at a point intermediate the right and left front side edges 3, 4. The tube is most preferably attached to the inner surface 6 substantially continuously between the first and second ends 10a, 10b.

In the manner of the first and second loops of the first embodiment, the first and second ends 10a, 10b preferably extend substantially vertically in use, as shown.

The tube is, in effect an elongated loop, and may have any structure or features as discussed above in respect of the loops of the first embodiment, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The tube may be the same width along the entirety of its length or the tube may differ in width. The tube's opening may be bigger or smaller than the rest of the tube. The tube may be bigger or smaller at its intermediate point, then decrease or increase in width towards the openings.

As with the loops, it is preferable for the tube's openings to be on or adjacent the front edges of the hood, and on or above the lower edge of the hood.

FIG. 9 shows a modification to the arrangement of FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein the first and second ends 10a, 10b comprise fasteners 11, which may be arranged as discussed above in respect of the fasteners 11 of the first embodiment.

By virtue of the arrangements according to the first and second embodiments, a stand-alone hood is provided that provides for a classic hood shape with the sides of the hood not required to be pulled in against the sides of a user's face. The classic hood shape is the hood shape achieved with most jackets and hoods having attached hoods (where the hood is attached to, or adjacent to, the collar seam of a coat). In addition, the base of the hood has a ‘clean cut’ and does not have loops and/or tubes hanging down below its base. Even with the addition of a scarf, the tube and loops are not seen hanging below from the rear or side view. This improves aesthetics and aids in maintaining the classic hood shape. Moreover, the scarf would not be correctly positioned to be worn around the neck if it were to hang down below the base of the hood.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, it is illustrated how the attachment of the hood to a wearer is achieved using a scarf 20, whilst maintaining the desired spacing of the hood from the wearer's face and also maintaining the classic hood shape at the side and rear of the hood. With the scarf pulled in around the neck of the wearer, a gap is suitably maintained on the inside of the hood between the scarf and the side of the hood, thanks to the loops (or tube), in the manner shown. This gap created prevents the sides and rear of the hood from being pulled inwards when the scarf is pulled inwards, therefore the classic hood shape is maintained.

The side panels of the hood 1 are most preferably long enough to substantially reach the shoulders of the wearer, as shown in FIG. 1. They may be slightly above or below the shoulders, but generally on the shoulders. In other words, the lower edge 2 extends substantially to the level of the shoulders of a wearer. Of course, there may be a range of differently sized hoods to suit a range of differently sized wearers. The front of the hood 1 may be longer than the rear. That is, in use, the dimension X may be greater than the dimension Y, as shown in FIG. 1. The hood is preferably designed to shape in around the rear of the head.

Hoods attached to coats (permanently or detachably) can be pulled in around the face to help reduce the rain on the face. However, they do not need to be pulled in around the face to secure the hood in place, since the hood is attached to the coat which secures it in place. This is the case with the unique stand-alone hoods according to the present invention. Any of the hoods according to the present invention, whilst not needing to be pulled in around the face to secure the hood in place, may include side toggles for pulling the hood in around the face when it rains heavily.

Any hood according to the present invention may be waterproof. There may, for example, be provided a waterproof outer layer and a soft inner layer. Hoods may be provided that are not waterproof.

Numerous alternative arrangements and modifications to the hoods as described herein will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims.

Some exemplary, but non-limiting, modifications to the above discussed arrangements will now be considered with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17.

In FIG. 12, there is shown a variant of the first embodiment in which the loops are closed at their bottoms, open at their tops, and closed by the fasteners 11. The scarf (not shown) lies along the bottom part of the loop, in a position for use around the base of the neck. The fasteners above the scarf may then be closed to make the opening smaller depending on the width of the scarf.

In FIG. 13, there is shown an alternative variant of the first embodiment in which the loops open in their middle. There is a fastener provided to close the loop and adjust its size, which comprises a hook and loop fastener but could comprise any of the alternatively discussed fasteners. Moreover, this variant could be provided with additional fasteners 11, as detailed above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, for varying the size of the opening 9.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown a yet further alternative variant of the first embodiment in which at least the first and second loops 8a, 8b are separable, comprising first and second end portions and a fastener 11 for joining the end portions to one another to define a closed loop. The inner surface 6 is provided with a pair of spaced openings 21, 22 through which the loop is fed for securing the loop to the hood. As best seen in FIG. 15, the portion of the loops that is visible in use may comprise transparent plastic, the portion of the loops inside the inner surface 6 and provided with the fastener 11 may be elasticated. There may be arrangements with a series of spaced slits so that the width of the opening 9 may be varied (and may comprise an internal, vertical cavity between the inner surface 6 and hood to house the elasticated fastener and help guide it from one slit to the next).

In an alternative variant, instead of the spaced openings 21, 22, there may be two small loops attached to the inner surface of the hood 6 through which the loop is fed for securing the loop to the hood. With this version, the elasticated part of the loop will now be visible and adjacent the inner surface of the hood 6.

With reference to FIG. 16, there is shown a variant of the second embodiment in which the tube 10, in the manner of the loops of the arrangement of FIG. 12, is closed at its bottom, open at its top, and closed by the fasteners 11. With the tube opening at the top, the ease of adding the scarf is increased. The bottom part of the tube may contain and hold the scarf in place while the top part of the tube is being connected.

It is also preferable for the fasteners to be at the top part of the loop or tubes because, regardless of how big or small the openings are made, the scarf will still remain in the same position at the bottom of the loop.

With reference to FIG. 17, there is shown a further variant of the second embodiment in which the tube 10, in the manner of the loops of the arrangement of FIG. 13, opens in the middle. There is a fastener provided to close the loop, which comprises a hook and loop fastener but could comprise any of the alternatively discussed fasteners. Moreover, this variant is preferably provided, as shown, with additional fasteners 11, as detailed above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, for varying the size of the opening 9 at the first and second ends 10a, 10b of the tube.

It is to be noted that in any of the variants discussed above, may incorporate any of the features discussed with reference to the first and second embodiments, even if not expressly discussed in respect of the variants, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

With regards to the loops or tube, in accordance with any arrangement described herein, the outer surfaces can be decorated with colourful fabric, jewellery or sewn-on stones for aesthetic purposes. Or they may be covered with the same fabric as what's used on the internal and/or external fabrics of the hood.

The scarf used can be of any shape. The scarf may be passed through the loops and/or tubes once or several times. There may be provided a scarf in combination with any hood arrangement as described herein. The scarf may be provided with fasteners at its ends to allow the ends of the scarf to be joined to one another. The fasteners may take any suitable known form and may accord in form to any of the fasteners described elsewhere herein. The scarf whilst most preferably removable could in some arrangements be permanently attached to the hood, such as by attachment to the loops or tube.

The strap may be made up of single layer of scarf material or may be made up of several layers of fabric. An inner layer adjacent the user's neck may be made up of comfortable, soft material (such as silky polyester and/or scarf material) and the outer layer of fabric may match that of the hood. The strap may be provided with fasteners at its ends to allow the ends of the strap to cross over in front of the user and join with complimentary fasteners along the sides of the strap to secure the hood to the user. In another arrangement the fasteners at the ends of the strap may join with one another to secure the hood to the user when in use. The strap, whilst most preferably removeable could in some arrangements be permanently attached to the hood, such as by attachment to the loops.

It is preferably the case, in any described arrangement, that when the scarf is passed through the loops or tube, the entire width of the scarf is contained within the loops or tube, so that it may move freely in its length direction (i.e. it can be pulled through the loops or the tube's cavity).

Whilst in the arrangements described above, the loops/tube are on an innermost surface of the hood, there may be arrangements provided where an additional layer is provided to cover the loops/tube in whole or in part.

With reference to FIGS. 18 to 21, a two-part hood 100 will now be discussed. The two-part hood 100 comprises a first hood 1 and a second hood 30. The first hood 1 and the second hood 30 form separable parts of the two-part hood 100. The two-part hood comprises additional attachment means 40 for separably attaching the first and second hoods 1, 30 to one another.

It should be noted that whilst the first hood 1 of the depicted arrangements is arranged in accordance with the hood 1 of the first embodiment as described above, it need not be limited as such. It may be configured in accordance with any arrangement (or variation thereof) of the hood 1 as discussed above with reference to any of FIGS. 1 to 17.

The first and second hoods 1, 30, whilst they may each be multi-layered, may be considered to comprise separable layers of the two-part hood 100.

The additional attachment means 40 preferably comprises suitably located complementary fasteners on the first and second hoods. The complementary fasteners may, for example, comprise zips, press studs, buttons, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, or otherwise. They may comprise a combination of such fasteners. The additional attachment means 40 may be concealed by hiding them within folded fabric along an edge of the hood. Fabric from the edge (and/or adjacent the edge) of one of the first and second hoods may be designed to fold over the edge of the other of the first and second hoods to connect with appropriate fastener(s) located on the interior side of hood. Otherwise, fabric from the edge of one of the first and second hoods may be designed to fold over the edge of the other of the first and second hoods to connect with the appropriate fastener(s) located on the exterior side of the hood. The additional attachment means 40 may, however, be provided on only one of the first and second hoods. In such an arrangement, the additional attachment means 40 most preferably comprises magnets.

It should be noted that whilst in the depicted arrangements, the additional attachment means are shown adjacent the edge defining the front opening 5 of the hoods, they may additionally or alternatively be provided adjacent a lower edge 2 of the hoods. See, FIGS. 1 to 3 for identification of these edges. The additional attachment means may further still, additionally or alternatively, be provided in one or more positions spaced inwards from the edges, such as at a point generally coincident with the crown of a wearer's head, in use.

The two-part (or dual) hood 100 comprises a standalone hood consisting of the first and second hoods. When the first hood and the second hood are brought together to form the two-part hood their appearance is that of one hood.

The first hood 1 is preferably made from lightweight material, such that it can be folded into a small, easily transportable compact form. The second hood 30 is preferably bulkier or thicker. It may be made from padded and/or warmer, thicker material and may consist of several layers of fabric. The first hood and the second hood can be detached to form two separate hoods which can be worn independently.

The first hood 1 is most preferably made from lightweight, waterproof or water-resistant material. Owing to its lightweight construction it is ideally suited for unobtrusive storage in a user's pocket or bag. Alternatively, it may be stowed in a small purpose-made carry pouch, which may be clipped onto a handbag, or otherwise. The first hood may be formed from a single layer of fabric. The first hood may otherwise be made up of two or more thin layers of fabric. In either case, any seams may be made waterproof. The first hood, as discussed, may take any form and incorporate any of the features of the hoods described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17.

The second hood 30, in comparison to the first hood will, as mentioned, typically be bulkier. It may be made from thicker and/or padded material and/or multiple layers. At least the outer layer of material of the second hood can be waterproof or water-resistant, including any seams. Alternatively, the second hood may be made from non-waterproof material, such as jersey or sweatshirt material. The second hood may be made up of multiple layers (i.e., may include an outer layer, then a concealed layer of wadding, then an inner layer). It may be made from silky polyester or fleece, for example to make the hood warmer when in use. Alternatively, the second hood may be padded for warmth and/or aesthetic purposes. The second hood may have a detachable fur or faux fur trim for added warmth and/or aesthetic purposes. Alternatively, the second hood may be made out of the same material and thickness as the first hood. Numerous possible constructions and alternatives will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

With reference to FIG. 18, a first exemplary arrangement of the two-part hood 100 is shown. In this arrangement, the second hood 30 is attached to an inner surface of the first hood 1. The first hood 1 comprises an outer hood and defines an outermost surface of the two-part hood.

The first hood 1 has the loops 8a, 8b, 8c attached to the interior side of the hood. The second hood 30 forms a padded, inner hood. The second hood 30 has through openings 31 that are aligned with the loops. These may take the form of slits. The inner side of the first hood attaches to the outer side of the second hood. The loops 8a, 8b, 8c from the first hood are fed through the openings 31 of the second hood so that a scarf may be passed therethrough. The first hood 1 can be attached to the second hood 30 by way of press studs, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, a zip, any combination of these, or otherwise, which fasteners may be provided along one or more edges of the hoods. The fasteners may be concealed from view. In the present arrangement, press studs are exemplarily shown. Whilst the fasteners are shown on the outside of the second hood and on the inside of the first hood, it could be that the fasters are instead on the inside of the second hood, and a flap of material from the edge (or adjacent the edge) of the first hood folds over the edge of the second hood and connects with the fasteners of the second hood that are on the inside of the hood. Moreover, further alternative arrangements will be readily appreciated, including arrangements as mentioned, where the additional fastening means 40 are present on only one of the hoods.

With reference to FIG. 19, a second exemplary arrangement of the two-part hood 100 is shown. In this arrangement, in contrast to the first arrangement, the first hood 1 is attached to an inner surface of the second hood 30. The second hood 30 comprises an outer hood, and defines an outermost surface of the two-part hood 100. The first hood 1 can, again, be attached to the second hood by additional attachment means 40, which may comprise press studs, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, a zip, or otherwise, which fasteners may be provided along one or more edges of the hoods. The fasteners may be concealed from view, such as by use of a flap, as discussed above. A flap of material from the edge (or adjacent the edge) of the second hood may fold over the edge of the first hood and connect with the fasteners on the inside of the hood. The flap of material, if present, provides an aesthetic finish around the joined edges.

In another arrangement, magnets are positioned around the edge of the second hood and complementary magnets (or magnetic metal) are positioned around the edge of the flap material from the edge, or adjacent the edge, of the second hood. The flap of material from the edge of the second hood folds over the edges of both the second and first hoods and connects with the complementary magnets on the second hood. The edge of first hood is sandwiched inside the two sets of magnets (i.e. between the edge of the second hood and the flap). In this amendment, the first hood does not contain any attachments.

In the present arrangement, a zip is exemplarily shown.

With reference to FIG. 20, a third exemplary arrangement of the two-part hood 100 is shown. In this arrangement the second hood 30 comprises an inner layer, which defines an inner surface and an outer layer, which defines an outer surface, and a void (or cavity) is defined between the inner and outer layers, and the first hood 1 is received within the void. It is preferable, as shown that a bottom edge of the second hood opens to provide access to the void for the first hood to be inserted into. The inner layer of the second hood 30 has through openings 31 that are aligned with the loops 8a, 8b, 8c. These may take the form of slits. The loops 8a, 8b, 8c from the first hood are fed through the openings 31 of the second hood 30 so that a scarf may be passed therethrough. The first hood 1 can be attached to the second hood by way of additional attachment means 40, which may comprise press studs, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, a zip, or otherwise, which fasteners may be provided along one or more edges of the hoods, and be provided within the void of the second hood. In the present arrangement, press studs are shown by way of example only.

In another arrangement, where the hood has an internal void made up of two panels of fabric (i.e. one panel may consist of the side of the hood and the second panel could consist of an additional piece of fabric or layer sewn into the hood to form a cavity). Sets of complementary magnets are positioned inside the void around the edge of the second hood. One set of magnets are positioned on one internal fabric face of the void, for example, and another set of complementary magnets are positioned on the opposing fabric face of the void. Alternatively, a series of two tabs may be attached to internal edge of the hood, inside the void. The complementary magnets are attached to the tabs and are pulled apart to receive the edge of the first hood. The edge of the first hood is sandwiched in between the two tabs.

Both the method for concealing the attachments and the use of magnets are preferable for aesthetic purposes as it reduces the number of visible attachments when the hoods are worn independently.

The second hood's void can be formed, for example, in the following ways:

- (1) If the second hood is made up of two layers (i.e. an outer padded layer and an inner layer), then the cavity is formed between these two layers.
- (2) If the second hood is made up of three layers (i.e. an outer layer, a middle wadding layer and an inner layer) then the cavity may be formed between either the outer layer and wadding layer, or between the wadding layer and the inner layer.
- (3) If there are more than three layers, then the cavity can be made closest to the inner layer.

Numerous alternatives will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

When the first hood 1 is inserted into the void of the second hood 30, the lower edges of the cavity of the second hood can be closed by fasteners 50, which may take any suitable form, including press studs, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, a zip, or otherwise. In the present arrangement, a zip is exemplarily shown.

With reference to FIG. 21, a fourth exemplary arrangement of the two-part hood 100 is shown. In this arrangement, the first hood 1 comprises an inner layer, which defines the inner surface and an outer layer, which defines the outer surface, and a void (or cavity) is defined between the inner and outer layers, and the second hood 30 is received within the void. The second hood 30 can be attached to the first hood by way of additional attachment means 40, which may comprise press studs, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, a zip, or otherwise, which fasteners may be provided along one or more edges of the hoods, and be provided within the void of the first hood. In another exemplary arrangement, sets of complementary magnets are positioned inside the void around the edge of the first hood. They can either be placed on either side of the lining inside the void or on a series of tabs (consisting of two pieces) that are attached to the edge of the hood. The complementary magnets are attached to the tabs and are pulled apart to receive the edge of the second hood and are connected together to secure the second hood in place.

In the present arrangement, press studs are shown by way of example only. It is preferable, as shown that a bottom edge of the first hood 1 opens to provide access to the void for the second hood 30 to be inserted into. When the second hood is inserted into the void of the first hood, the lower edges of the cavity of the first hood can be closed by fasteners 50, which may take any suitable form, including press studs, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, a zip, or otherwise. In the present arrangement, a zip is exemplarily shown.

In a yet further arrangement, it may be that each of the first and second hoods 1, 30 is configured in accordance with the hood in any arrangement as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17.

In any of the above arrangements, the first and second hoods 1, 30 are preferably substantially the same size and shape as one another. In arrangements where one of the first and second hoods is inserted into a void within the other of the first and second hoods, the hood to be inserted may be smaller.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

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