Patent Application
20190090561
Aspects herein are directed to a modesty head cover.
Typical head coverings used a sign of modesty and/or a symbol of religious faith, such as a hijab, are generally not constructed so as to be worn during athletic activities. Those that are designed to be used during athletic activities may comprise a single piece of fabric which may create unnecessary bulk and/or may not be form-fitting. Alternatively, the head covering may be formed from many different panels of material which contribute to the weight of the head covering and/or may cause unnecessary seam lines that can cause chafing or create an unflattering fit.
Examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.
At a high level, aspects herein are directed to a modesty head cover, such as a hijab, configured for use during athletic activities. The modesty head cover includes several features that make it suitable for use during athletic activities while still maintaining modesty and a flattering fit. In one exemplary aspect, the modesty head cover is formed from a lightweight, breathable fabric, such as a single jersey knit with a mesh construction. The use of a single jersey knit construction, as opposed to, for instance, a double jersey knit construction, contributes to the light weight of the modesty head cover. The mesh construction allows heated air and moisture vapor produced by a wearer to escape to an external environment and further allows ambient air from the environment to enter the modesty head cover to promote quicker drying times. The fabric may be formed using microfiber polyester yarns (i.e., yarns formed from polyester filaments or fibers having a denier of one or less) and elastic yarns (e.g., Spandex® yarns). The use of microfiber polyester yarns promotes wicking of moisture away from the wearer's skin surface through capillary action between the different microfibers. Once wicked to an outer-surface of the modesty head cover, the moisture may evaporate. The use of elastic yarns helps the head cover to be more form-fitting and to retain its shape upon repeated wear.
Another feature of the modesty head cover is the use of a minimal number of fabric panels (e.g., three panels) to construct the modesty head cover. Using a panel-type construction, as opposed to using a single piece of fabric, enables better shaping of the modesty head cover resulting in an overall better fit. However, keeping the number of panels to a minimum helps to keep the modesty head cover lightweight and further reduces the number of seam lines to prevent or reduce potential chaff points and/or points of structural weakness. As explained further below, the configuration of the individual panel pieces and the seaming used to join the different panels is selected to produce a flattering fit without bunching of the fabric. Fabric bunching with respect to athletic wear may lead to increased drag which may affect athletic performance.
Continuing, the shape configuration of the different panels may be selected so that the modesty head cover is longer in the front and back and shorter at the sides. This allows a wearer to potentially tuck the front and back of the modesty head cover into an upper body garment further eliminating potential drag points and reducing distractions due to, for instance, flapping or movement of the modesty head cover during wear. Keeping the modesty head cover shorter at the sides allows a free range of movement of the wearer's arms and shoulders. The longer construction in the front and back also helps to weight the edges of the head cover which may be useful if it is not possible to tuck the front and back of the head cover into an upper body garment.
As well, the shape configuration of the different panels may be selected to produce a greater volume of material in areas of the modesty head cover corresponding to a back neck area of a wearer when the head cover is worn. The extra volume enables the head cover to drape more naturally around the wearer's head and avoids the head cover being so form fitting so as to approximate a “swim cap” style head cover which would impact the modesty function of the head cover. Further, the extra volume is useful for accommodating wearers having long hair.
The head cover comprises a face opening formed by one or more perimeter edges of the panels used to construct the head cover. In exemplary aspects, a soft, elastic binding is provided around the face opening to enhance modesty and prevent shifting of the face opening during athletic activities which could potentially impact the wearer's line-of-sight. In exemplary aspects, the head cover is configured to have different sizes for the face opening to accommodate different face sizes/shapes of potential wearers. By enabling a wearer to select a correct size of face opening, the head cover is better able to meet modesty requirements that state that only the wearer's eyebrows to under the wearer's chin may be visible.
Accordingly, aspects herein are directed to a modesty head cover comprising a first side panel having a first top portion, a first side portion, and a first back portion; and a second side panel having a second top portion, a second side portion, and a second back portion, where the first top portion and the first side portion of the first side panel are affixed to the second top portion and the second side portion of the second side panel at a back seam. The modesty head cover further comprises a third front panel extending between the first side portion of the first side panel and the second side portion of the second side panel. The unaffixed perimeter edges of the first side panel, the second side panel, and the third front panel collectively define a face opening.
In another aspect, a modesty head cover is provided. The modesty head cover comprises a first side panel having a first top portion, a first side portion, and a first back portion; and a second side panel having a second top portion, a second side portion, and a second back portion, where the first top portion and the first side portion of the first side panel and the second top portion and the second side portion of the second side panel define at least in part a face opening. The modesty head cover further comprises a back seam affixing the first back portion and the first top portion of the first side panel to the second back portion and the second top portion of the second side panel. The back seam comprises a first portion that extends from a bottom margin of the modesty head cover, where the first portion extends in line with a midline reference plane. The back seam further comprises a second portion extending from the first portion, where the second portion is positioned a predetermined distance away from the midline reference plane on a first side of the midline reference plane. The back seam additionally comprises a third portion extending from the second portion, where the third portion comprises a terminal end of the back seam, and where the third portion is positioned a predetermined distance away from the midline reference plane on a second side of the midline reference plane. The second side of the midline reference plane is opposite the first side of the midline reference plane.
Aspects herein are further directed to a method of manufacturing a modesty head cover. The method comprises providing a first panel of material having at least a first perimeter edge and a second perimeter edge; providing a second panel of material having at least a third perimeter edge and a fourth perimeter edge; and providing a third panel of material having at least a fifth perimeter edge and a sixth perimeter edge. The first perimeter edge of the first panel of material is affixed to the third perimeter edge of the second panel of material to form a back seam of the modesty head cover. The second perimeter edge of the first panel of material is affixed to the fifth perimeter edge of the third panel of material to form a first front seam of the modesty head cover, and the fourth perimeter edge of the second panel of material is affixed to the sixth perimeter edge of the third panel of material to form a second front seam of the modesty head cover. Continuing, a first set of unaffixed perimeter edges of the first panel of material, the second panel of material, and the third panel of material collectively define a face opening of the modesty head cover, and a second set of unaffixed perimeter edges of the first panel of material, the second panel of material, and the third panel of material collectively define a bottom margin of the modesty head cover.
Positional terms used herein such as “superior,” “inferior,” “medial,” “lateral,” “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “midline reference plane,” “outer-facing surface,” “inner-facing surface,” and the like are to be given their common meaning with respect to the modesty head cover being worn as it is intended to be worn by a hypothetical wearer standing in an upright position. Still further, the phrase “configured to contact,” or other similar phrases used when describing different portions of the head cover in relation to a wearer refer to a head cover appropriately sized for the particular wearer. Terms such as “affixed” as used herein generally refer to attachment methodologies between two or more elements (e.g., fabric panels or pattern pieces) that generally maintain the elements in a fixed (and/or permanent) relationship with respect to one another. Exemplary ways of affixing elements together contemplated herein include, for example, stitching (e.g., flat stitching), bonding, welding, use of adhesives, use of adhesive tapes, and the like. The term “seam,” as used herein generally refers to the junction area where the elements are affixed together. As such, a seam may refer to a stitched seam, a welded seam, a bonded seam, a taped seam, and the like. The term “perimeter edge” as used herein generally refers to external or outer edges of a fabric panel, where the outer edges collectively define the perimeter shape of the fabric panel. A perimeter edge may comprise a free edge or may comprise an edge that is affixed (or configured to be affixed) to a perimeter edge of another fabric panel.
Turning now to
Similarly, and also with respect to
With respect to just
The face opening 116 is collectively defined by a first set of free perimeter edges of the first side panel 110, the second side panel 112, and the third front panel 114. More particularly, the face opening 116 is defined by a perimeter edge 132 of the first side panel 110, a perimeter edge 134 of the second side panel 112, and a perimeter edge 136 of the third front panel 114. The face opening 116 is generally sized to encompass an area comprising just above the wearer's eyebrows (but below the wearer's hairline), to just under the wearer's chin. In exemplary aspects, an elastic binding 138 circumscribes the face opening 116. The elastic binding 138 may not only help the face opening 116 to lie flush with the wearer's face (i.e., no gaps) but also may help reduce shifting of the face opening 116 during movement. This, in turn, helps to keep the wearer's line-of-sight clear and further helps to maintain the modesty coverage of the head cover 100.
The bottom margin 118 of the modesty head cover 100 is collectively defined by a second set of free perimeter edges of the first side panel 110, the second side panel 112, and the third front panel 114. More particularly, the bottom margin 118 is define by a perimeter edge 140 of the first side panel 110, a perimeter edge 142 of the second side panel 112, and a perimeter edge 144 of the third front panel 114. In exemplary aspects, the bottom margin 118 is configured to be longer in the front and the back of the head cover 100 as compared to the sides of the head cover 100 (best seen in
As seen best in
Each of the first side panel 110, the second side panel 112, and the third front panel 114 may be formed of a lightweight, breathable fabric. In exemplary aspects, the fabric forming the first side panel 110, the second side panel 112, and the third front panel 114 may have a weight of between 150 g/m2 and 160 g/m2 and may have an air permeability between 110 cubic feet/meter (cfm) and 120 cfm. An exemplary fabric may comprise a single jersey knit fabric having a mesh-like structure comprising a plurality of small openings 310 as shown in the magnified view in
In exemplary aspects, the fabric used to form the first side panel 110, the second side panel 112, and the third front panel 114 may comprise microfiber polyester yarns and elastic yarns. Due to the small size of the polyester fibers or filament in the microfiber polyester yarns (e.g., 1 denier or less), the microfiber polyester yarns have a large surface area through which moisture may travel via wicking or capillary action. Thus, sweat or moisture generated by the wearer during athletic activities may be transported to an outer-facing surface of the head cover 100 where it may evaporate helping to keep the head cover 100 dry and the wearer cool. The elastic yarns help the head cover 100 to retain its shape and help the head cover 100 to more closely conform to, for instance, the top half of the wearer's head.
In exemplary aspects, the head cover 100 comprises three seams that join the first side panel 110, the second side panel 112, and the third front panel 114 together. The placement and orientation of the various seams are selected so as to reduce fabric bunching and ensure a flattering fit. As well, by minimizing the number of seams on the head cover 100, potential chaff points and/or points of structural weakness are reduced. Before describing the various seams with respect to
With respect to the perimeter edge 158, the pattern piece 500 is shaped such that a terminal portion 510 of the perimeter edge 158 diverges inferiorly from its previous curvature path before intersecting the superior terminal end 516 of the perimeter edge 132. To describe it a different way, the terminal portion 510 is configured to form an obtuse angle, e1, with the superior terminal end 516 of the perimeter edge 132. As will be explained more fully with respect to
Turning to
With respect to the perimeter edge 160, the pattern piece 600 is shaped such that a terminal portion 610 of the perimeter edge 160 diverges superiorly from its previous curvature path before intersecting the superior terminal end 616 of the perimeter edge 134. To describe it a different way, the terminal portion 610 is configured to form an acute angle, e2, with the superior terminal end 616 of the perimeter edge 132. Similar to the terminal portion 510 of the pattern piece 500, this shaping results in a particular seam configuration that helps the top of the head cover 100 to lie flat against the wearer's head without fabric bunching.
With this as context, and turning back to
Referring now to
Continuing, as shown in both
As shown primarily in
The shaping of the pattern pieces 500 and 600 and the subsequent path of the back seam 162 are selected to not only produce a flattering aesthetic, but to prevent the back seam 162 from traveling along the top of the wearer's head in line with the midline reference plane 410. For instance, if a straight seam were selected there is an increased chance of fabric puckering due to the difficulties in having a straight seam lie completely flat across the “spherical” top portion of the wearer's head. Thus, by curving the back seam 162 as shown, the back seam 162 is able to better follow the contours of the wearer's head so that it lies flat when the head cover 100 is worn. This, in turn, produces a more streamlined aesthetic on the top of the wearer's head which may help reduce drag.
Turning now to
Continuing, at a step 840, the first perimeter edge of the first panel of material is affixed to the third perimeter edge of the second panel of material to form a back seam, such as the back seam 162 of the head cover 100. And at a step 850, the second perimeter edge of the first panel of material is affixed to the fifth perimeter edge of the third panel of material to form a first front seam, such as the first seam 147 of the head cover 100. Similarly, at a step 860, the fourth perimeter edge of the second panel of material is affixed to the sixth perimeter edge of the third panel of material to form a second front seam, such as the second seam 152 of the head cover 100. In exemplary aspects, a first set of unaffixed perimeter edges of the first panel of material, the second panel of material, and the third panel of material (such as perimeter edges 132, 134, and 136 respectively) collectively define a face opening, such as the face opening 116, of the head cover. And a second set of unaffixed perimeter edges of the first panel of material, the second panel of material, and the third panel of material (such as perimeter edges 140, 142, and 144 respectively) collectively define a bottom margin, such as the bottom margin 118, of the head cover.
In exemplary aspects, one or more of the first panel of material, the second panel of material, and the third panel of material are variably sized to produce different sizes of the head cover. For instance, the panels may be sized so as to produce an Extra Small/Small head cover and a Medium/Large Head cover. This is advantageous in that a wearer may select a head cover appropriately sized for her particular head. This, in turn, helps the face opening to sit properly on the wearer's face so as to provide appropriate modesty coverage.
Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.
