Abstract:
A camouflage outer wear garment system including garments incorporating selected patterns of leaf simulating camouflage strips. At least a portion of the camouflage strips include a multiplicity of texture imparting pleats projecting in transverse angled relation to the length direction of the strips. The camouflage strips may be arranged across portions of a jacket, trousers and/or hood for use alone or in combination with other garments.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly owned co-pending application Ser. No. 10/330,917 filed Dec. 26, 2002 which is a division of application Ser. No. 09/982,184 filed Oct. 17, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,141) which claims benefit and priority from provisional application No. 60/313,616 filed Aug. 20, 2001. The contents of all referenced applications and patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention is directed to camouflaged clothing generally to be used by sportspersons, hunters, photographers, and others observing wildlife in their natural environment. More particularly, the invention provides a camouflage clothing system in which strips of material simulating outwardly protruding leaf structures are disposed selectively across the clothing so as to disturb the profile of the wearer. The profile disturbing leaf strips are formed from material seamed to the exterior of the clothing. At least a portion of the leaf strips include an arrangement of pleats transverse to the length direction of the strips to provide enhanced profile disruption. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The use of manufactured camouflaged material is an extension of the use of natural materials to cause a structure or individual to blend into its natural background and escape visual detection. The development of camouflage materials has lead to the manufacture of clothing with the same purpose as the use of such natural materials. The use of colored camouflage material imprinted with a pattern corresponding to the background terrain occupied by a user is well known. While camouflage materials which rely strictly on patterning may provide a degree of concealment, a wearer may nonetheless still be detected by his or her body profile standing out in relief relative to the background terrain. In order to address this deficiency, it has been recognized that so-called three-dimensional fabrics including a substrate layer and integrated outwardly protruding leaf elements may be utilized to disrupt the wearer&#39;s profile. By way of example only, U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,320 (incorporated by reference) discloses three-dimensional camouflage fabric manufactured from a net base to which is affixed along spaced lines an overlying sheet of camouflage material. The sheet of camouflage material is cut along opposite sides of the spaced lines in shapes and patterns to simulate natural vegetation, terrain, and shadows. U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,978 (incorporated herein by reference) discloses a method and apparatus for raising lobes of camouflage material away from the fabric plane by heat treating. While such practices may provide structures with good camouflage protection, such manufacturing techniques are relatively complex and may result in substantial quantities of wasted material in the cut-out zones of the overall overlying sheet structure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a camouflage system incorporating an arrangement of profile disturbing strip elements disposed selectively in attached relation across a garment surface. The strip elements may be of either single edge or double edge construction. At least a portion of the strip elements may include integral pleats randomly or irregularly disposed in transverse relation to the length direction of the strip elements so as to augment camouflage performance. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which constitute a part of the specification herein and in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary fabric panel for the manufacture of camouflage clothing which includes an arrangement of randomly pleated camouflage strip elements affixed to a separately formed independent base fabric; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an exemplary set of camouflage clothing; 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are respectively, a front and rear view of a camouflage jacket and hood combination including an arrangement of profile-disturbing randomly pleated camouflage strips; 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of trousers incorporating an arrangement of profile disturbing randomly pleated camouflage strips; 
       FIG. 5A  is a detailed view of a camouflage hood including a multi-layer face veil structure including a top mesh portion and a bottom camouflage fabric portion disposed in layered relation across the lower portion of a user&#39;s face; 
       FIG. 5B  is a view similar to  FIG. 5A  wherein a top mesh portion of the face veil structure is raised in covering relation to an upper portion of a user&#39;s face and a bottom camouflage fabric portion hangs down across a lower portion of the user&#39;s face with the bottom portion illustrated pulled back from a lower corner to illustrate manipulation capability; and 
       FIG. 5C  is a view similar to  FIG. 5A , wherein all layers of the face veil structure are pulled down beneath the chin of the wearer to open the face opening entirely. 
   

   While the invention has been illustrated and will hereinafter be described in connection with certain exemplary and potentially preferred embodiments and practices, it is to be understood that in no event is the invention to be limited to such illustrated and described embodiments and practices. On the contrary, it is intended that the invention shall extend to all alternatives and modifications as may embrace the principles of this invention within the fill spirit and scope thereof. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Reference will now be made to the several figures wherein to the extent possible like reference numerals are used throughout the various views to designate the same feature, material, or relationship. As previously indicated, the camouflage system of the present invention utilizes the selective attachment of the leaf-simulating camouflage strips across panels of fabric forming one or more clothing articles. By way of example only,  FIG. 1  illustrates a panel  10  incorporating an arrangement of leaf-simulating camouflage strips  12  seamed in place across a base fabric  14  by seams  16  such as sewn seams, adhesive seams, welded seams, and the like. While the seams  16  and attached strips  12  are illustrated in substantially parallel relation to one another, it is to be understood that such an arrangement is exemplary only and that the strips  12  may be disposed at various angles relative to one another across the panel  10 . 
   According to one contemplated construction, the strips  12  and the base fabric  14  are formed from the same material such as a camouflage printed, lightweight woven pongee cloth or lightweight knitted mesh of nylon, polyester, or the like. Such lightweight materials provide excellent ventilation while nonetheless concealing the wearer and providing protection against intrusion by biting insects. Of course, it is also contemplated that different materials may be used in the strips  12  and the base fabric  14 . Moreover, it is also contemplated that different colors or patterns may be used across different portions of the panel  10 . The ability to apply the individual strips  12  as discreet units across the base fabric  14  thus affords a substantial degree of freedom in developing desired patterning combinations. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , it is contemplated that panels  10  incorporating a desired arrangement of leaf-simulating camouflage strips  12  may be utilized in the formation of a camouflage suit  20  in which the camouflage strips  12 ,  12 ′ are used to disrupt the silhouette of the wearer. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the suit  20  includes a jacket  22 , trousers  24 , and a hood  26 . As shown, the camouflage strips  12  are seamed across the surface of the garment to disrupt or distort the natural silhouette of the wearer, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the camouflage coloration and/or pattern. The attachment of the strips is preferably effected by the seams  16  which extend along the length of the individual strips such that irregular edges of the strip project away from both sides of the seams. Strips  12 ′ having a single protruding irregular edge may also be attached along and/or inserted within the garment formation seams such as a sleeve seam  30  running along the outboard edge of the jacket sleeves and/or an outboard trouser seam  32  running between front and rear panels of the trousers. As illustrated, the utilization of the garment seams allows a strip edge to project outwardly away from the garment seam thus substantially aiding in the disruption of the wearer&#39;s silhouette. 
   As illustrated in the various views, at least a portion of the leaf-simulating camouflage strips  12  are pleated or ruffled along their length such that a multiplicity of pleats extends at a transverse angle relative to the seams holding the strips  12  in place. According to the potentially preferred practice, the arrangement of pleats is substantially random along the length of the strips so as to provide a highly irregular appearance. The pleated arrangement may be maintained by the seams  16  such that an arrangement of overlaps and underlaps are present within the body of the strips  12  in the assembled condition. These pleats are believed to substantially enhance the camouflage character of the garment. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  an exemplary jacket and hood combination is illustrated. Of course, it is to be understood that the jacket  22  and hood  26  need not be formed as a single component. Moreover, it is contemplated that a user may utilize the jacket without the hood or the hood without the jacket if desired. According to the illustrated exemplary arrangement, the chest panel of the jacket  22  includes a multiplicity of double edge pleated camouflage strips  12  extending away from the shoulder line so as to define an irregular surface across the front of the jacket  22 . Likewise, an arrangement of double edge pleated camouflage strips  12  extends away from the shoulder line and across the back panel of the jacket  22  so as to provide at least a degree of coverage across the back panel. However, it is also contemplated that the chest panel and/or the back panel may be devoid of camouflage strips  12  if desired. In the illustrated arrangement, a single edge pleated camouflage strip  12 ′ is held within the sleeve seam  30  at either sleeve such that a simulated leaf edge projects away from the sleeve seam  30 . A double edge pleated camouflage strip  12  also extends over the top of the hood  26  so as to further obscure the wearer&#39;s profile. Of course, it is to be understood that the double edge strips  12  and single edge strips  12 ′ may be interchanged with one another at any location as may be desired. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates basic details of one embodiment of camouflage trousers. As illustrated in this embodiment an arrangement of double edge camouflage strips extend at least partially across the front of the trousers with single edge camouflage strips  12 ′ projecting away from the outboard trouser seams  32 . The rear portion of the trousers is preferably devoid of applied camouflage strips although such strips may be used in this area if desired. An elastic waistband  34  may be used to hold the trousers  24  in a comfortable position. However, it is likewise contemplated that a belt or drawstring may be utilized to replace or augment the waistband  34  if desired. Elastic cuffs  36  may be used to hold each leg securely in contact with the ankle of the wearer. Alternatively, cuffs may be held by drawstrings or tapered and closed with attachment mechanisms such as zippers, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. 
   Referring simultaneously to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C it may be seen that the hood  26  is provided with one double edge pleated camouflage strip which extends from shoulder to shoulder across a top of a wearer&#39;s head. Of course, additional single or double edge strips may be used if desired. As illustrated, the hood  26  is preferably provided with a visor  40 . The visor  40  is preferably constructed of a panel of the lightweight base fabric  14  as is used in other portions of the suit  20 . However, it is also contemplated that the visor  40  may incorporate additional stiffening structures such as a layer of non-woven felt or the like as will be well known in the art if further stiffening is desired. As shown, the hood  26  is also preferably adjustable by a drawstring  42  ( FIG. 3B ) extending rearwardly from positions adjacent the visor. 
   The hood  26  may be attached around a neck opening in the jacket  22  such that the hood  26  and the jacket  22  are integral with one another in substantially permanent fixed relation. It is also contemplated that the hood  26  and the jacket  22  may be adjoined by disengagable attachment elements including, by way of example only, zippers, snaps, buttons, and hood and loop fabric fasteners. Of course, it is also contemplated that the hood  26  may be physically separate from the jacket  22 . In such an arrangement, the neck portion of the hood  26  may drape partially over a user&#39;s shoulder or may be tucked under the neck opening of the jacket  22 . 
   As previously indicated, the hood  26  preferably includes a face veil structure  50  including a layer affixed along one side of the hood face opening by a fixed attachment such as sewn seam between the veil structure  50  and one side of the face opening. As illustrated, the veil structure  50  preferably is also operatively connected to the opposing side of the face opening at an opposing lateral edge  52  running along the face opening. By way of example only, it is contemplated that the operative connection between the veil structure  50  and the edge  52  of the face opening may be established by a relatively short, narrow highly extensible elastomeric fabric strip  56  which is best illustrated in FIG.  5 B. The elastomeric fabric strip preferably extends between the veil structure and an interior location adjacent the edge  52  so as to normally hold the veil structure across the face opening in edge-to-edge uninterrupted coverage while nonetheless permitting the user to raise or lower the various layers of the veil structure as illustrated in  FIGS. 5B and 5C . In particular, as illustrated in  FIG. 5B  if desired a lower portion  60  of the veil structure may be conveniently raised as desired such as to permit the manipulation of a game call or the like. As illustrated in  FIG. 5C , the use of the elastomeric fabric strip also permits the user to pull the entire veil structure  50  down below his or her chin if face coverage is not desired without the necessity of removing the hood  26 . In addition, the use of the elastomeric fabric strip  56  to effect connection between the veil structure  50  and an edge of the face opening permits the user to pull the hood  26  back over his or her head during which the face opening may have to expand. Thus, the veil structure  50  provides concealment without unduly constricting the face opening. 
   According to one potentially preferred construction, the veil structure  50  includes a lower portion  60  adapted to hang in covering relation across the lower segment of the face opening. The veil structure  50  also preferably includes an upper portion  64  attached in hinging relation along the upper edge of the lower portion  60  and adapted to be folded up and over an upper segment of the face opening during use. Thus, the lower portion  60  and the upper portion  64  serve to cooperatively cover the entire face opening within the hood  26 . 
   According to one potentially preferred practice the material forming the lower portion  60  may be a lightweight colored or printed camouflage fabric and will most preferably be of the same construction and pattern as the material forming the camouflage strips  12 , or  12 ′ and/or the base fabric  14 . The upper portion  64  which covers the eyes of the user is preferably formed from a dark unprinted mesh material so as to reduce glare and improve visibility. One such material which may be used in the upper portion  64  is a relatively open mesh knit fabric of black, dark green, or other suitable coloration. In such a construction there is preferably a substantial interstitial void area between the yarns so as to promote visibility while nonetheless providing a level of light filtration to reduce glare. However, the individual interstitial openings should nonetheless be small enough to prevent undesired insect incursion. 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described in relation to certain exemplary embodiments, constructions, and procedures, it is to be understood that such embodiments, constructions, and procedures are illustrative only and that the present invention is in no event to be limited thereto. To the contrary, it is contemplated that modifications and variations embodying the principles of this invention will no doubt occur to those of skill in the art and it is thus intended that the present invention shall extend to all such modifications and variations as may incorporate the broad principles of the invention within the full spirit and scope thereof.