Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HOOD WITH BUILT IN FACE MASK
This invention is an alteration to an existing product; the hood of a sweater.
We have altered
the internal fabric of the sweaters hood by cutting it open; we use seams
stitches and glue
take away excess fabric and elastics to create tension for proper seating. All
of this allows the
internal fabric to act as a protective face mask, properly seated to the
wearers face.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hooded sweaters are commonly used to keep the people that find them trendy and
stylish,
warm. People wear, hoodies ¨ another known name for hoodied sweaters ¨ for
comfort and
for many different occasions, as well. Some hoodies pull over the head and
body, while others
have zippers, similar to a coat or jacket. People wear hooded sweatshirts
mostly for extra
warmth and style. Sweaters with hoods are patented mainly in the USA. There
are many
different patents for hooded sweatshirts, but none have a hood alteration with
a face mask.
The closest examples of our proposed invention are listed below.
Similar patents found in Canada and the USA:
CANADA
1. (54) English Title: PROTECTIVE GARMENT
(12) Patent Application: 1114 CA 2706401
(54) French Title: VETEMENT DE PROTECTION
USA PATENTS
1. Hooded garment with circular knitted collar
Patent number: D512204
Filing date: Aug 8, 2003
Issue date: Dec 6, 2005
Application number: 29/187,786
2. Hooded garment with built-in skull cap, gloves, and lower face covering
with ...
Application number: 11/081,941
Publication number: US 2006/0288465 Al
Filing date: Jun 27, 2005
Issued patent: US7296302 (Issue date Nov 20, 2007)
3. HEAD COVERINGS AND HOODED GARMENTS WITH INTEGRATED HOOD HOLDING INSERTS
Application number: 12/480,822
Publication number: US 2010/0306898 Al
Filing date: Jun 9, 2009
CA 02792513 2012-10-09
4. Protective garment
Patent number: 7228858
Filing date: Mar 9, 2005
Issue date: Jun 12,2007
Application number: 11/076,641
5. Pull down ski mask
Patent number: 5713077
Filing date: Jul 15, 1996
Issue date: Feb 3, 1998
6. Head and face protector
Patent number: 7418740
Filing date: Nov 16, 2005
Issue date: Sep 2, 2008
Application number: 11/281,045
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Hoods of sweatshirts tend to have two parts, an outer layer of fabric (the
term "layer of
fabric" is interchangeable with the term "liner") wrapping around the back of
the wearers
head and an inner layer of fabric pushed inside the external layer.
The adjustments made to the inner liner are the only alteration to the
sweater. The inner
layer has been cut and modified, so it will fit over the wearers face to act
as mask, the fit for
the mask will be controlled by elastic drawstrings, to adjust how tight the
inner layer of
fabric fits against the wearers face.
Useful applications for this altered product will be for outdoor enthusiasts
and outdoor
workers in colder climates; as well as, other people that think this style of
product is trendy
or useful. The main perceived use for the face mask will be to act as a
balaclava, or a similar
type of product, to protect wearers face from the cold and the wind, giving
the wearer full
face protection from the elements.
The hood and mask combination, will be as fashionable as any other hooded
sweatshirt in the
market. When the mask is not being worn it will tuck back into the external
hood layer of
fabric with the rest of the internal liner. This allows the hood and
sweatshirt to be worn
naturally, as if there was no alteration.
This product will save people from having to carry around toques, balaclavas
and other,
similar, cold weather accessories. The face mask will always be with the
wearer inside the
hood of the sweatshirt; the face mask cannot be misplaced, unless the
sweatshirt is misplaced.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order for there to be a mask inside the hood of a sweatshirt, the inner
liner of the hood has
to have a horizontal, semi-circular cut above the centre of where the hood is
sewn to the main
body of the sweater, Figure IA. The excess semi-circular cut fabric that
remains on the body
portion of the hood will be sewn into place, Figure I B. The inner liner is
now separated from
the outer layer of fabric, so the wearers head can fit comfortably inside
where the sweater has
been cut and in between the inner and outer layer of fabrics. A fabric elastic
is sewn on to the
bottom of the separated inner liner, for aesthetics and tension purposes,
Figure 2.
To keep the inner liner from being too oversized and drooping towards the
ground while it is
being worn as a mask, a stitched seam will be placed on the inside of the
hood, behind the
drawstring and around circumference of the hood, Figure 3. The seam will go
around and
beside the wearers face, and top of head. The seam will be set back in a
manner that will
insure the wearers head is comfortably set into the back of the hood and the
excess fabric
restricted from sagging and the mask is tight against the wearers head and
face.
Between the two liners of the hood and between the new seam and drawstring
circumference,
glue/adhesive can be placed to secure the fabric and add extra strength to the
structure of the
hood, Figure 4.
The next customization is to pull the face mask into position, which has two
options for
fastening.
OPTION I:
Fabric elastic drawstrings will enter into the hood from outside the external
fabric near the
shoulder of the wearer, Figure 5. The elastics will be hidden behind the mask
and attached to
the fabric below where the wearers chin is considered to be, Figure 5A. This
feature allows
for the wearer to give a simple tug to the elastic drawstrings outside the
hood and cause the
excess fabric below the wearers chin to be pulled down. This will tighten the
mask and align
the eyehole(s) and mouth hole(s). The elastics are secured in place by a small
plastic clasp
outside the hood by the wearers' shoulders, Figure 5B.
OPTION 2:
Securing and aligning the face mask with option 2 is similar to option I, but
instead of the
fabric elastics going in a straight line from the hole at the shoulders to the
area of the mask
considered to be below the wearers chin. The fabric elastics will go into the
hood at the
shoulder and towards the back of the hood and through a ring loosely dangling
near the back
of the hood, Figure 5C. The fabric elastic will loop through the loosely
dangling ring and go
back towards the front of the hood, attaching to the face mask, below the area
considered to
CA 02792513 2012-10-09
be the chin, Figure 51). This feature allows the wearer to give a simple tug
on the fabric
elastics by the shoulder causing the face mask to be pulled backward and down,
the face
mask elastics will be secured by the same small plastic clasp as Figure 5B.
Pulling the mask in at the bottom, by elastic drawstring, will secure the mask
to the wearers
face for an optimal fit; keeping the mask tight, the eyehole(s) conveniently
located and the
mouth properly situated with little, to no adjustments and effort. Sizing
differences between
small, medium, large and extra large has created the need for different
measurements of
seams, eyehole(s) and other cuts.
Eyehole(s) will be cut out of the inner liner, positioning depends on the size
and style of the
sweater, but the eyehole(s) will be in the general area of the wearers eyes.
The eyeholes can
either be cut as two holes for eyes, Figure 6, or cut as one oblong, circle,
Figure 6A. Eyeholes
or an eyehole, are cut for the wearer to have adequate vision. Fabric elastic
will go around the
circumference of the oblong eyehole to create extra strength and restrict the
eyehole fabric
from falling outwards, Figure 7.
Another method to keeping the fabric of both eyehole(s) options for from
falling outwards
towards the ground, when not in use, is to place a small magnet in the centre
of the face mask
and external fabric, slightly below the eyehole(s) option, Figure 7A. These
magnets will create
a magnetic pull between the inner and external layers of fabric, causing the
two pieces of
fabric to rest together when the inner liner is not being used as a face mask.
Both of these eyehole(s) can have a thin translucent piece of fabric secured
in behind the
eyehole(s) allowing the wearer to have vision, but blending the face mask and
eyehole(s)
together, Figure 8. This feature is dependent on the wearers' preferences and
style.
The mouth hole(s), like the eyehole(s), is cut from the inner liner, but a cut
is made in the
logical and possible position of the mouth. Positioning depends on the size
and style of the
sweater, but the hole(s) will be in the general area of the wearers' mouth.
There can either be
one hole for the mouth, Figure 9, for breathing and talking; or, the mouth
hole can be a series
of small holes, Figure 9A, in the area of fabric above where the wearers' chin
is believed to be
and in the centered section where the mouth is believed to be. Lastly, there
can be no mouth
hole(s), Figure 9B.
Both mouth hole(s) options can have a thin translucent piece of fabric behind
the mouth
hole(s), Figure 10. This thin translucent piece of fabric will blend the mouth
and mask
together and add extra protection from the cold air.