Patent Application
20140096302
The present invention relates to an article of clothing, and in particular, to a fashionable, adjustable and convertible garment worn around the neck which provides warmth and protection against cold weather and wind to the neck and/or chest of a person.
Scarves or mufflers have been used for both fashion and utilitarian purposes. Most often, people use scarves to cover and protect their necks from inclement weather, such as rain, snow, wind, and cold temperatures. However, scarves are also used to provide warmth to a person's neck and/or chest during periods when there is no inclement weather or periods when the weather is warm. This is especially true for singers and people playing wind instruments (e.g., clarinetist, trombonist, trumpeter, saxophonist), who try to keep their voice box clear and relaxed by warming their throat. Since the neck is a region of the body which loses heat quickly, it has been found that warming the throat, neck and chest areas is important for singers and musicians in protecting their vocal tract and conducting a successful musical performance.
Typically, a conventional scarf comprises an elongated piece of cloth or fabric having a substantial length greater than the circumference of a person's (wearer's) neck and a width greater than the height of the neck. The scarf, and more specifically a central portion thereof, is wrapped around and secured to the neck by looping the scarf onto itself or by making a knot. Afterwards, the ends of the scarf are left dangling from the knot.
The conventional scarf, however, suffers several disadvantages. For example, due to its substantial length and the need to tie a knot, the scarf usually forms a bulky mass in front of the wearer's neck and chest, which detracts from the overall fashion style the wearer may be trying to achieve. Even if a person tries hiding the mass and the ends of the scarf underneath an outer garment, such as a jacket, coat or sweater, the mass is still noticeable. Further, the outer garment may not be designed with a wide neck opening to allow the mass and ends of the scarf to be tucked therein. Conversely, the scarf may interfere with the complete closure of one or more fasteners (e.g., zipper, buttons) of the outer garment. Another disadvantage related to the mass created by the conventional scarf is the tendency to restrict free movement of the face (including the mouth), neck, shoulders, chest and back. Such constraint on maneuverability may be unfavorable for people who are involved in activities which require uninhibited movement. For example, singers and musicians must have the ability move freely in order to express emotion in their musical performance.
The design of the conventional scarf also makes the garment difficult to don and/or doff (remove) from the neck. The conventional scarf may be hard to tie, and its design can lead to unwanted knots or weak knots. This disadvantage further prevents the scarf from being securely and firmly wrapped around the neck. Often, when the wearer naturally shifts his or her head and/or neck, the scarf loosens or comes undone. This renders the scarf ineffective in protecting the person from the cold as well as providing steady warmth to the neck and chest regions. An additional drawback of the conventional scarf relates to the danger posed by the scarf's dangling ends. In particular, if the scarf is worn and knotted around the neck while the wearer is operating equipment or heavy machinery, such as a bicycle or cutting machine, there is the potential that the ends may tangle with the machine and cause serious injury to the wearer.
Another drawback of the conventional scarf is that it lacks the means to effectively cover and warm both the chest and neck simultaneously. Typically, when the conventional scarf is wrapped around the neck to provide sufficient cover and warmth, there is little left of the scarf to cover the chest. The remaining portion of the scarf which is available is unsecured and “criss-crossed.” As a result, the conventional scarf fails to provide a gap-free “blanketing” effect to the wearer's chest. Conversely, if the wearer tries to “criss-cross” more of the scarf over the chest, it is usually at the expense of providing sufficient cover to the neck, thereby leaving part of the neck exposed to inclement weather, including rain, snow, wind, and cold temperatures.
As a further drawback, the conventional scarf lacks the ability to convert into different configurations in order to adjust to different environments or conditions that the wearer is in and meet the needs and preferences of the wearer. For example, while conventional scarves are meant to help protect and warm areas of the body from inclement weather, they can lead to overheating as heat generated by the individual continues to build around the neck or chest region (e.g., when the wearer is engaged in physically demanding activity). In order to cool down either region, the wearer would have to doff the scarf entirely and thus cool down both neck and chest regions. However, the neck and chest regions may not overheat at the same rate. As such, the wearer may want to cool down the neck while providing continued warmth to the chest or conversely cool down the chest while providing continued warmth to the neck. This situation occurs more frequently when the person is wearing a heavy outer garment, in which case the chest region may overheat at a much faster pace. The conventional scarf has no easy or effective way of being converted into different configurations.
In order to minimize some of the disadvantages of conventional scarves, neck garments have been developed with designs that eliminate the need to make a knot to secure the scarf around the neck. One such article of clothing is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,543 to Baker. Baker discloses a one-piece neck garment having a tubular body with an outwardly flared lower end to conform to and lie over the wearer's shoulders. However, the tubular configuration requires that the person pull the neck garment over the head and face, potentially disrupting/disturbing one's hair and/or makeup. In addition, if the person is wearing glasses and/or a hat, he or she would have to take them off before placing the neck garment in position around the neck. Consequently, the neck garment of Baker still does not provide for easy donning and doffing. In addition, the neck garment does not provide sufficient protection and warmth to the chest nor can it be configured to do so.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,897 to Rosaen describes a tailless scarf made of an elongated, rectangular piece of cloth having a uniform thickness. The scarf includes a pair of fasteners, one disposed on each end of the scarf and on each opposing face of the scarf. Accordingly, the scarf can be wrapped around and secured to the neck by engaging the fasteners. The scarf, however, provides warmth only to the neck while leaving the chest unprotected. Further, the design of the scarf involves it being fastened in the front of the neck, such that a portion of the neck adjacent to the wearer's upper chest remains unprotected. The fasteners of the scarf are also prominently displayed, which detracts from the overall fashionable appearance of the wearer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,618 to Mustata describes a reversible scarf comprising a neck piece and chest piece. The neck piece has one or more pairs of fasteners sewn on opposing ends and faces of the neck piece in order to fit the scarf around the wearer's neck. Although the scarf may provide protection to the neck and chest, the chest piece is permanently sewn to the neck piece. As a result, the scarf is not adapted to be converted or adjusted such that it can accommodate different environments and/or the needs and preferences of the wearer. The scarf is unable to provide warmth to the neck only, to the chest only, and to both the neck and chest in separate instances. The neck piece also has extra fabric so that it can cover the wearer's lower face, including the nose, mouth and chin. However, if the wearer chooses not to cover his or her lower face, the extra fabric must be folded or shifted underneath the neck. This causes the neck piece to be bulky and restrict the wearer's ability to naturally move his or her face, neck, and shoulders. With additional fabric covering the neck, the neck piece may also produce excessive warmth around the neck. It is further noted that with the neck piece extended to cover the lower face, the neck piece prevents the wearer from freely moving the face, mouth, and chin. More importantly, the scarf of Mustata poses a potential safety hazard. The chest piece dangles from the neck piece and may tangle with equipment or machinery. With permanent attachment between the neck piece and chest piece, the wearer can suffer severe injury.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,123 to Petropoulos is also directed to a garment for protecting the neck and chest, wherein the garment has fasteners for releasable attachment around the neck. Petropoulos shares the same drawbacks of Mustata. In particular, Petropoulos includes a dangling chest piece and a neck piece formed from a single cloth. Petropoulos also includes a semi-elliptical extension of fabric which covers the wearer's nose, mouth, and chin. This extension prevents the wearer from freely moving the face, mouth and chin. Even if the extension were folded and repositioned underneath the wearer's chin, the additional fabric around the neck may restrict free and natural movement of the face, neck, and shoulders. In addition, the extra bulk created by the neck piece may cause excessive warmth around the neck.
While the prior art scarves provide improvements over conventional scarves, such as easier donning and doffing steps, they still suffer from several disadvantages. One such disadvantage is the restriction in free movement of the wearer's mouth, chin, head, neck, and shoulders. The prior art scarves are also not adjustable or configurable so as to accommodate different environments and/or the needs of the wearer. Another disadvantage of the prior art scarves is the potential danger created by their dangling ends. In addition, although some of the prior art scarves protect a large area of the wearer's body, it comes at the expense of its appearance, thereby detracting from wearer's fashion style.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a garment which is worn around the neck of a person (herein referred to as “wearer”) and is adapted to provide protection against inclement weather (e.g., rain, snow, wind, cold temperatures) as well as provide warmth to the neck and/or chest.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a neck and chest warmer which can be easily donned and doffed (i.e., removed) from the neck, without disturbing the wearer's hair, makeup, and/or other clothing. Further, the neck and chest warmer should not require the wearer to doff glasses and/or headgear (e.g., hats, caps, hair covers, bonnets, helmets) that he or she may be wearing.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a neck and chest warmer which minimizes any interference with the wearer's freedom of movement and maintains its fit around the wearer's neck during natural motion of the mouth, chin, head, neck, shoulders, and chest.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a neck and chest warmer which is adjustable and convertible and can be arranged into different configurations in order to accommodate different environments that the wearer may be in as well as the wearer's needs and preferences.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a neck and chest warmer which is safe and does not pose a safety hazard when the wearer is near or operating dangerous equipment or machinery.
It is still another object of the present invention to incorporate the above features, benefits, and objects in a fashionable neck and chest warmer, which can provide and permit interchanging colors and/or design patterns.
These and other objectives are achieved by providing a garment for warming a neck and/or chest of a person that includes an elongated neck piece having opposing ends and opposing surfaces, the neck piece being adapted to wrap around the neck, and at least one neck fastener for releasably securing the opposing ends to each other, wherein the neck piece forms a substantially tubular configuration. The neck fastener comprises a first fastener disposed proximate to a first end of the opposing ends on an inner surface of the opposing surfaces and a second fastener disposed proximate to a second end of the opposing ends on an outer surface of the opposing surfaces, wherein the first fastener is adapted to engage the second fastener. The garment further includes a chest piece adapted to releasably attach to the neck piece and cover the chest.
Both the neck piece and the chest piece are adapted so that they can be worn under or over other clothing. In either scenario, the garment functions equally well in protecting the neck and chest from inclement weather (e.g., rain, snow, wind, cold temperatures) and provide warmth thereto.
Other objectives are achieved by providing a garment for warming a neck and/or chest of a person that includes a neck piece having opposing ends and opposing surfaces, wherein the neck piece is adapted to wrap around the neck and be secured thereto when the opposing ends are releasably attached to each other. In some embodiments, the opposing ends fasten to each other along the back portion of the neck. In other embodiments, the opposing ends may fasten to each other on a side of the neck.
Further, the neck and/or chest warming garment may be designed so that the opposing ends at least partially overlap with each other. The overlap created by the opposing ends covers the neck fasteners so that they are hidden from view. This particular aspect of the present invention helps to maintain the fashionable style of the garment when fitted around the neck of a person. Further, because of the overlap, the neck piece is able to wrap around different neck sizes and shapes and still have the opposing ends fasten to each other.
Additional objectives of the invention are achieved by providing a garment for warming a neck and/or chest of a person, wherein the garment includes a neck piece that is made from an elongated piece of fabric having a curved or arcuate shape, at least one neck fastener for releasably securing opposing ends of the neck piece, and a chest piece that is made from a piece of fabric having a substantially rectangular shape, said chest piece being adapted to releasably attach to the neck piece. The neck piece is designed with a curved or arcuate shape such that it naturally or automatically/anatomically wraps around and conforms to the neck. Further, the arcuate shape of the neck piece is adapted to cover the entire neck, including the front lower neck area between the collar bone and the laryngeal prominence (commonly known as the Adam's apple) as well as the area of the neck immediately adjacent to the back of the head. In some embodiments, the neck piece is V-shaped or has the shape of a chevron. With respect to the chest piece, it has a substantially rectangular shape which is suited for conforming to the wearer's chest. In some embodiments, a top edge of the chest piece—the portion of the chest piece that is directly connected to the neck piece—is also arcuate. In further embodiments, the top edge has a curvature which matches the arcuate shape of the neck piece.
Other objectives of the invention are achieved by providing an elongated neck piece having opposing ends and opposing surfaces, the neck piece being adapted to wrap around the neck, at least one neck fastener for releasably securing the opposing ends to each other, a chest piece adapted to cover the chest, and at least one chest fastener for releasably attaching the chest piece to the neck piece. The chest fastener may have a first fastening component disposed on an outer surface of the chest piece proximate to a top edge of the chest piece and a second (complimentary) fastening component disposed on an inner surface of the neck piece proximate to a lower edge of the neck piece. When the first fastener is engaged with the second, complimentary fastener, the neck piece may cover both fasteners such that they are hidden from view. This particular configuration of the chest fastener assists in maintaining the fashionable style of the garment.
With the chest piece being releasably attached to the neck piece, both components form a continuous piece of fabric, reducing the likelihood of gaps therebetween. This connection between the neck piece and the chest piece effectively blocks rain, snow, wind and cold weather from entering into the neck and chest regions. The neck piece and the chest fastener are able to withstand the weight of the chest piece, which remains relatively lightweight.
In some embodiments, the at least one chest fastener is adapted to unfasten when a pulling force is applied to the chest piece, wherein the pulling force is greater than the natural force of gravity (gravitational force). This particular aspect of the present invention serves as a safety mechanism and provides for the garment to be worn without danger, even when the wearer is positioned near or operating equipment/machinery which has the potential to tangle with conventional scarves. Therefore, in any situation where the chest piece may become tangled with machinery, the at least one chest fastener will automatically unfasten or release the chest piece from the neck piece. This helps to prevent or reduce the likelihood that the wearer will be injured. Moreover, this quick-release aspect of the chest fastener is beneficial in providing an easy way for the wearer to detach the chest piece from the neck piece, especially if the garment is worn under clothing.
Further objectives are achieved by providing a garment for providing warmth to a neck and/or chest of a person, the garment including a strap that is adapted to be worn around the neck and a chest piece that is adapted to releasably attach to the strap and cover the chest, wherein the strap is adjustable in length to match a circumference of the neck and achieve a desired height/position of suspension of the chest piece. Accordingly, the strap is interchangeable with the neck piece and may substitute the neck piece to provide attachment and support for the chest piece.
A neck and/or chest warming garment may include a chest piece, at least one apparel chosen from a group consisting of a strap and a neck piece, and a chest fastener releasably attaching the chest piece to the apparel, where the apparel is adapted to wrap around the neck. Further, the apparel is adjustable in length to position the chest piece relative to the chest, thereby configuring the chest piece at a desired height of suspension. With this particular design, the neck and/or chest warming garment is adjustable and convertible into different configurations, such as the neck piece being worn only, the chest piece being worn only (i.e., strap attached to the chest piece), or the neck piece and chest piece being worn together.
In some embodiments, the chest piece is reversible. In other words, the chest piece has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein either of the first and second surfaces may contact the chest while the other of the first and second surfaces defines an exposed surface, i.e., exposed to inclement weather.
The chest fastener may comprise at least one fastening component disposed on the first surface of the chest piece proximate to a top edge of the chest piece, wherein the fastening component can be engaged with at least one complimentary fastening component disposed on the strap or at least one complimentary fastening component disposed on the neck piece. In some embodiments, the chest fastener comprises at least two fastening components disposed on the first surface of the chest piece. The at least two fastening components are adapted to engage separately (independently, one at a time) at least two complimentary fastening components disposed on the strap and at least two complimentary fastening components disposed on the neck piece.
In addition, the chest fasteners—fastening components combined with complimentary fastening components on the strap or fastening components combined with complimentary fastening components on the neck piece—are adapted to unfasten when a pulling force is applied to the chest piece, wherein the pulling force is greater than the gravitational force (quick-release feature).
Other objectives are achieved by providing a garment for providing warmth to a neck and/or chest of a person, wherein the garment includes a strap having opposing strap ends, the strap ends being releasably attached to each other via a neck fastener in order to secure the strap around the neck, and a chest piece that releasably attaches to the strap. The strap can be adjusted in length to match a circumference of the neck and achieve a desired height/position of suspending the chest piece.
In order to releasably attach the chest piece to the strap, the garment further comprises at least one strap fastener. The strap fastener comprises a first component disposed on one of the opposing surfaces of the chest piece and a second component disposed at a center or middle section of the strap between the strap ends. The at least one strap fastener has a quick-release safety feature, wherein the strap fastener is adapted to unfasten when a pulling force is applied to the chest piece, the pulling force being greater than natural gravitational force.
Further, a neck piece may be releasably attached to the chest piece while the strap is also attached thereto. Specifically, wherein the chest piece has opposing surfaces, the garment may be configured such that the strap attaches to the chest piece on a first surface and the neck piece attaches to the chest piece on a second, opposing surface. In this configuration of the garment, the neck piece may be adapted to overlap and cover the strap and a top edge of the chest piece.
With the neck piece releasably secured around the neck, both the strap and the neck piece provide more than sufficient support for holding the chest piece in position in front of the wearer's chest. Alternatively, the strap may be released from the chest piece such that the neck piece provides all the support for the chest piece. Further yet, both the strap and the chest portion can be released and doffed from the neck piece such that the wearer is only wearing the neck piece. This particular feature of the present invention provides for the garment to be adjustable and convertible into different configurations, which enables it to accommodate the needs and preferences of the wearer (e.g., neck piece only, chest piece only, both neck piece and chest piece).
Further objectives of the invention are achieved by providing a garment for providing warmth to a neck and/or chest of a person, the garment having a strap adapted to be worn around the neck, the strap having opposing strap ends, the opposing strap ends being releasably attached to each other, a chest piece for covering the chest, the chest piece being releasably attached to the strap, and a neck piece for wrapping around the neck, the neck piece having opposing ends adapted to releasably attach to each other, wherein the neck piece is releasably attached to the strap. Once the strap and the neck piece are attached to each other, they form a seamless tubular configuration around the neck.
Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims attached thereto.
Referring to the figures in detail and first to
The length of the neck piece 12 is dimensioned to be equal to or slightly greater than a circumference of the neck. This provides for the opposing ends 14a, 14b to partially overlap with one another once the neck piece 12 is positioned on the neck, as shown in
The neck piece 12 maintains a thin profile, even when it is filled internally with padding, such as down feathers, polyester batting, and fur. The thickness of the neck piece 12 remains uniform throughout its length such that the neck piece 12 is streamlined, does not protrude substantially out from the neck in any single spot, and does not form a bulky mass around the neck. Accordingly, the wearer maintains freedom of movement, and the natural motion of his or her head, face, mouth, chin, neck, shoulders, and chest is not restricted. The neck piece 12 is specifically configured to allow uninhibited motion of the wearer's body. Further, with its small thickness, the neck piece 12 can be worn equally on the outside or inside of other clothing (e.g., turtleneck).
In some embodiments, the neck piece 12 is design in a curved or arcuate shape (
As shown in
Different types of mechanisms can be used for the neck fastener 18a, 18b. In a preferred embodiment, the neck fastener comprises hook and loop closures. In other embodiments, the neck fastener comprises buttons with matching number of button holes. In yet other embodiments, the neck fastener comprises snap fasteners (snap buttons), wherein the snap fasteners include a pair of interlocking discs (i.e., a circular lip under one disc fits into a groove on the top of another disc). The neck fasteners, in alternative embodiments, may comprise j-shaped hooks that can engage eyelets.
As mentioned previously, the opposing ends 14a, 14b at least partially overlap when they are releasably attached via the neck fastener 18a, 18b. More specifically, the first end 14a is partially disposed over the second end 14b such that the first and second fasteners 18a, 18b are covered (
The neck and chest warmer 10 may further comprise a chest piece 22 releasably attached to the neck piece 12, as shown in
The fabric used to make the chest piece 22 is imperforate and may comprise a cloth or any suitable material, such as cotton, wool, silk, synthetics, (e.g., rayon and nylon), and blends of natural and synthetic materials. In other embodiments, the chest piece 22 may be made of down feathers, polyester batting, or fur lined with cotton or silk. Similar to neck piece 12, the chest piece 22 may be water-proof and fluid resistant.
In some embodiments, the neck piece 12 may be created from one fabric material while the chest piece 22 may be created from a different fabric material. An advantage of this particular configuration of the present invention is the ability to provide different types of thermal insulation between the neck and chest. In other embodiments, the neck piece 12 and the chest piece 22 are both produced from the same fabric. The garment 10 can then be manufactured more easily and efficiently than if different fabrics are used.
The chest piece 22 is adapted conform to the shape and contour of the chest. The chest piece 22 is dimensioned accordingly to substantially cover the chest of the wearer. In some embodiments, a single chest piece 22 is provided to cover the chest of the wearer. In other embodiments, the garment 10 may be provided with a plurality of chest pieces 22, wherein each chest piece is adapted to independently attach to the neck piece 12 and each chest piece is dimensioned differently to accommodate different chest sizes and shapes (e.g., adult's chest, child's chest, female chest, male chest).
The chest piece 22 is relatively thin, even when it is filled internally with padding, such as down feathers, polyester batting and fur. The thickness of the chest piece 22 remains uniform throughout its length such that it is streamlined, does not protrude substantially out from the chest in any single spot, and thus does not form a bulky mass in front of the chest. The chest piece 22, therefore, does not restrict the wearer's freedom of movement and natural motion of his or her head, neck, chest, shoulders, and back. Furthermore, the chest piece 22 does not comprise a substantial mass and thus does not weigh down the neck when the chest piece is attached to the neck piece 12. In this respect, the chest piece 22 also does not hinder motion in the head, neck, chest, shoulders, and back. Further, the thin, streamlined form of the chest piece 22 enables it to be worn equally underneath or over other clothing.
As shown in
Referring to
The chest fastener 16, 24 is adapted to have a quick-release feature so that the chest piece 22 does not pose a safety hazard. The quick-release involves the chest fastener 16, 24 unfastening or detaching when a pulling force is applied to the chest piece. The pulling force exerted on the chest piece 22 must be greater than gravitational force in order for quick-release to occur. With this particular feature, if the chest piece 22 by chance becomes tangled with an equipment/machinery (e.g., bicycle, shredding machine), the chest fastener 16, 24 immediately detaches when the machinery begins to pull on the chest piece 22. The possibility that the wearer will be yanked at the neck towards the machinery is greatly reduced or eliminated completely. As such, this helps prevent or minimize the likelihood that the wearer will be injured. The quick-release feature also enables the wearer to easily doff the chest piece 22 if he or she no longer needs/wants to warm or protect the chest.
In some embodiments, the chest fastener 16, 24 comprises interlocking snap fasteners (snap buttons). In other embodiments, the chest fastener 16, 24 may comprise hook and loop closures.
As previously mentioned, the neck piece 12 and chest piece 22 releasably attach to each other so that there is an overlap. The overlap of the neck piece 12 over chest piece 22 covers the first components 24a, 24b, 24c and second components 16a, 16b, 16c of the chest fasteners. As a result, the chest fasteners may be hidden from sight and cannot detract from the decorative appearance and overall fashion of the garment 10.
Referring to
In this particular embodiment of the neck and chest warmer 10, either the strap 40 or the neck piece 12 may be attached to the chest piece 22 at a given moment. Accordingly, if the wearer wants and/or needs to provide warmth to his neck only, he or she merely dons the neck piece 12 (
In some embodiments, the strap 40 may be a tubular cord made of fabric. In other embodiments, the strap 40 may comprise an elongated, imperforate piece of fabric. The fabric used to make the strap 40 can be a cloth or any suitable material, such as cotton, wool, silk, synthetics, (e.g., rayon and nylon), and blends of natural and synthetic materials. In some embodiments, the strap 40 may be filled with down feathers, polyester batting, or fur. Any of the materials, either alone or in combination with each other in a seamless configuration, provide thermal insulation capabilities. Accordingly, the strap 40 provides some warmth and protection against inclement weather to a part of the neck. Further, the strap 40 may be water-proof and fluid resistant.
The neck piece 12 may have a linear shape in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the neck piece 12 has an arcuate or curved shape which provides for the neck piece to naturally and automatically/anatomically wrap around and conform to the shape of the neck. Similarly, the strap 40 may have a linear shape or an arcuate shape which enables it to wrap around the neck naturally and automatically/anatomically. The arcuate shape of both the neck piece and the strap makes it easy for the wearer to don either apparel.
The chest piece 22 of
As seen in
The at least one chest fastener comprises at least two fastening components 24 (e.g., 24a, 24b, 24c) disposed on the first surface 30 of the chest piece 22 proximate to the top edge 26a. The fastening components 24 are adapted to engage at least two complimentary fastening components 16 disposed on the strap 40 or at least two complimentary fastening components 16 disposed on the neck piece 12. Where the strap 40 is releasably attached to the chest piece 22, the fastening components 24b, 24c are engaged with complimentary fastening components 16b, 16c on the strap ends 42a, 42b, respectively. Accordingly, two chest fasteners are used to connect the strap 40 to the chest piece 22. Once attachment has been made, the strap 40 remains stationary around the neck despite the bottom edge 26d of the chest piece 22 hanging freely.
When the chest piece 22 is connected to the strap 40, the chest piece 22 may be configured such that the first surface 30 is contacting the chest while the second surface 32 is the exposed surface. Alternatively, the chest piece 22 can equally be arranged so that the second surface 32 is contacting the chest.
Instead of the strap 40 being releasably attached to the chest piece 22, the neck piece 12 may be used for connecting the chest piece 22. This arrangement of the neck and chest warmer 10 provides at least two chest fasteners, which secure the neck piece and chest piece in a seamless configuration. As a result, the chest fasteners prevent or reduce the likelihood of there being any gaps between the two components through which wind, cold air, or other inclement weather may enter. In some embodiments, the neck and chest warmer 10 includes three chest fasteners that are adapted to releasably secure the chest piece 22 to the neck piece 12 (
As shown in
Referring to
In some embodiments, the strap 60 may be a tubular cord made of fabric. In other embodiments, the strap 60 comprises an elongated, imperforate piece of fabric having an inner surface and an outer surface 68, the inner surface being in contact with the neck. Although the strap 60 does not cover the neck entirely, it is capable of providing warmth and protection against inclement weather to a portion of the neck. The strap 60 also has water-proof and fluid resistant characteristics, which help in protecting part of the neck against inclement weather, such as rain and snow.
In some embodiments, the strap 60 is adapted to substantially conform to the shape and size of the neck. Because the strap 60 can fit necks having a large circumference (i.e., adult necks) or a small circumference (i.e., child's necks), the strap 60 is versatile. When the neck fasteners 64a, 64b are unfastened, the strap 60 may have a substantially linear shape in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the strap 60 may have a curved or arcuate shape, wherein the arcuate shape provides for the strap 60 to naturally and automatically/anatomically wrap around and conform to the neck.
The strap 60 is made to be thin, even when it is filled with internal padding. The thickness of the strap 60 remains uniform throughout its length such that the strap 60 is streamlined, does not protrude substantially out from the neck in any single spot, and does not form a bulky mass around the neck. Accordingly, the strap 60 does not restrict the wearer's freedom of movement. The wearer is able to move his or her mouth, chin, head, neck, shoulders, and chest naturally while wearing the strap 60.
Once the neck fastener 64a, 64b are engaged, a secure attachment between the opposing ends 62a, 62b of the strap 60 is made. Different types of mechanisms can be used for the neck fastener. In some embodiments, the neck fastener comprises hook and loop closures. In other embodiments, the neck fastener comprises buttons with matching number of button holes. In yet other embodiments, the neck fastener comprises interlocking snap fasteners (snap buttons).
Further, an overlap is created between the strap ends 62a, 62b when they are releasably attached to each another. This overlap is adapted to cover the neck fastener 64a, 64b, thereby hiding them from view and providing a continuous, uninterrupted decorative appearance of the outer surface 68.
The garment 50 further includes at least one strap fastener (designated collectively as 66 and 70) for releasably attaching the chest piece 22 to the strap 60. In some embodiments, the garment 50 comprises three strap fasteners, as shown in
The strap fasteners 66, 70 are also adapted to have a quick-release feature. The quick-release provides for the strap fasteners 66, 70 to automatically and immediately unfasten or detach when a pulling force is applied to the chest piece 22, wherein the pulling force exerted on the chest piece is greater than gravitational force. Accordingly, the quick-release feature eliminates or reduces any potential danger involving the chest piece 22 getting tangled with equipment or machinery. If the chest piece 22 does tangle with another object, the pulling force exerted on the chest piece 22 will immediately unfasten the strap fasteners 66, 70.
In some embodiments, the strap fasteners 66, 70 comprise interlocking snap fasteners (snap buttons). In other embodiments, the strap fasteners 66, 70 comprise hook and loop closures.
As shown in
With the neck piece 12 releasably attached to the chest piece 22, the neck piece 12 overlaps and covers the strap 60. In some embodiments, the outer surface 68 of the strap 60 is releasably attached to the inner surface 20a of the neck piece 12. The means for releasably attaching the outer surface 68 with the inner surface 20a can be accomplished with fasteners, such as hook and loop closures.
Referring to
Since the neck piece 12 is releasably attached to the strap 60, the neck piece 12 is not in direct and releasable attachment with the chest piece 22. Accordingly, the garment 80 may not include the releasable attachments 16, 24, which are present in garments 10, 50.
Each of the releasably attachments present in the neck and chest warmer 80—between the chest piece 22 and the strap 60, between the strap 60 and the neck piece 12, between the opposing ends of the strap 60, between the opposing ends of the neck piece 12—are configured such that they provide a continuous and seamless connection between the chest piece, strap, and neck piece, thereby preventing the presence of gaps between each of the three parts and reducing the likelihood that inclement weather, including cold air and wind, can penetrate through gaps.
It is noted that the cloth or fabric used to make the neck piece, chest piece, and strap can comprise a variety of different colors and/or patterns to achieve current fashion trends. Since the fastening mechanisms included in the neck and chest warmer may be hidden, a continuous, uninterrupted decorative design can be provided on the outer surface of the garment, thereby giving a fashionable appearance.
In view of the above characteristics and features, the adjustable neck and chest warmer according to the present invention provides improved cold weather protection and warmth to the neck and chest without adversely affecting the maneuverability of the wearer. The neck and chest warmer can be adjusted and converted into different configurations so as to accommodate for different environments and the needs and preferences of the wearer. Further, the adjustable neck and chest warmer provides for easy donning and doffing of the garment and has a fashionable and decorative appearance.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
