Abstract:
A head covering is disclosed for covering and, preferably, obscuring the head such as with camouflage. The head covering may include a top portion such as a baseball-style cap, a first member or shroud that substantially covers the rest of the head other than one or more openings for a mouth and a nose, and preferably other than providing an opening for eyes such as an opening between the top portion and the first member. A second veil-type shroud is provided to cover the openings for the mouth and nose, is sized to be moved away from the mouth and nose while still obscuring the same, and is secured as to allow moisture from the face to be escape therefrom.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to head apparel and, in particular, to head apparel for sportspersons in outdoors to conceal the person&#39;s face. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There are a number of pursuits undertaken in which a person seeks to attain close proximity with wild animals or other people without being noticed. The most obvious of these pursuits is game hunting where the person seeks to gain close proximity in order to improve the accuracy of a gunshot or a bow shot or the like. Other pursuits may include a bird watcher, a nature observer, or a field zoologist, for instance, as well as military activities in which a soldier may be attempting to obscure their presence from others. 
         [0003]    In any event, gaining close proximity to wild animals often involves the use of camouflage clothing to obscure the person and, hence, their presence in a location. These locations may differ from the various types of woods, snow-capped mountains, to a marsh, grassy field, hunting blind, or any other outdoors location. For each location, the various types of camouflage patterns worm are selected for blending in with the location or natural surroundings. It is generally considered best to obscure as much of the person, along with his or her gear, as possible, as wild game will usually see and recognize the presence of anything that is not natural to their environment. If aware of the presence of the person or threat, most animals will avoid or flee the location. 
         [0004]    While solutions for maximum coverage have, for the most part, been addressed, the primary area of the body that continues to remain a challenge is facial camouflage. A common solution is facial paints. Though these are time-consuming and laborious to apply correctly to blend in with the location, they are considered messy, and are not re-usable. Facial paint also does not obscure movement by the face or items around the face, such as a calling devices, for example a duck call being blown by a person&#39;s lips. 
         [0005]    Currently, many styles and constructions of head or face wear are available for obscuring the head, the face, or both of a person, as well as providing some degree of heat retention. A common hat includes a cap portion worn over the hair and side flaps that may be pulled down and secured around the ears and part of the face. However, the central portion of the face is still visible, and this is the portion that is necessary to provide a direct view of the quarry or prey. 
         [0006]    Various other type of shroud styles have been created. For instance, a first shroud type is sock-shaped, with a generally horizontal opening positionable around the eyes. Two other shroud types are generally known as “ninja” style and Balaclava style shrouds which have a head covering portion along with a second layer of material that may be pulled down to expose the face and mouth. None of these types of shrouds has a bill or visor, and they fail to provide any shielding of the eyes from overhead sunlight (an issue when watching for airborne birds, for instance), or any obscuring of the eyes or eyewear of the wearer. 
         [0007]    These shrouds have problems with moisture build up between the shroud and the wearer. After only a short period of time, the material quickly becomes saturated, leading to additional problems. For instance, breath may condense on the interior of the shroud, along with the shroud having to be lifted or pulled down in order to expectorate or clear mucous from a nose. To deal with these issues, the wearer basically must expose their face by rearranging the shroud repeatedly, or simply lifting up to allow the moisture to escape and not collect (which defeats the purpose of the shroud covering the face). 
         [0008]    Additionally, it is difficult to use these shrouds with any type of mouth call, such as a bird or duck call. One may shift the shroud away from the mouth to place the call on the lips, or may attempt to blow through the shroud. For the latter, a thin mesh material used for some shrouds may permit use of a call directly through, though this is awkward, and the call is exposed to the view of any nearby quarry. Again, this method is not without problems, since after only a short period of time the material quickly becomes saturated with moisture. 
         [0009]    Another solution to facial camouflage is the use of a ski mask style covering. This is generally a close-fitting construction that provides openings for the eyes, mouth, and nose. While this is effective at providing access to the mouth and nose, as well as clear eye sight, it does little to camouflage at least the eyes, nose, and mouth. An additional problem is that it prevents the use of any type of eyewear. 
         [0010]    One attempt to address these issues would be to provide a billed or brimmed hat with a mesh attached, much in the way of a beekeeper&#39;s hat. The full face mesh obscures clear eye sight, which is a particular issue where vision is crucial while aiming a weapon. Additionally, in order to eat or wipe moisture from the face, the mesh must be lifted or pulled down which, although minor, is still considered defeating the purpose of wearing the covering in the first place. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, there has been a need for an improved head and/or face wear for obscuring a face while spending time in an outdoors location. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    In accordance with an aspect, a covering for a head is disclosed including a first member having a portion positionable over at least a part of a face of the head, the portion having an opening therein positionable over the nose and mouth of the head, and a second member positionable over the first member opening. In a form, the entire first and second member assembly, which is fabricated of thin mesh, can be tucked up under the head-covering cap and out of sight when not in use. This allows the covering to be worm as a typical baseball-style cap. 
         [0013]    In some forms, the covering first member substantially covers the head and has a second opening positionable over eyes of the head. The first member may include a cap portion positionable on a crown of the head. The first member may include a bill positionable above eyes of a head, and first member provides an opening positionable around eyes of a face below the bill. The first member may include a wrap portion including the portion positionable over at least part of the face and a second portion substantially covering sides and back of the head. The wrap portion may have a length extending downward positionable around a neck below the head. The wrap portion may include a bottom portion having a cinch mechanism for drawing the wrap portion inward around the neck. 
         [0014]    The covering may further include a cap portion secured to the first member, and positioned to cover at least the crown of the head. The first member may have a top portion, and the cap portion may have a bottom portion that may be secured to each other. The first member top portion and the cap portion bottom edge may be secured with a securement at the back portion of the cap, and extending to just behind the start of the brim on either edge of the cap. The second member may have a top portion securable with the front aspect of the first member top portion to drape along the front of the face. The second member may be free to move relative to the securement, and the second member may be moved (i.e., elevated) to provide access to the opening positionable over the nasal and mouth opening of the first member. The second member may be sized to allow access to the opening positionable over the nose and mouth opening of the first member, and may be sized to cover said opening during access thereto. The covering may be substantially covered with a camouflage pattern. 
         [0015]    In another aspect, a covering for a head is disclosed including a cap portion for covering a crown of a head, a bill extending from the cap portion, a wrap shroud secured with the cap portion and generally extending about the head, the wrap shroud including at least a first opening providing access to a portion of a face of the head, and a veil extending over the wrap shroud and covering the first opening. 
         [0016]    In some forms, the cap portion and bill are substantially in the form of a baseball cap. 
         [0017]    The wrap shroud and veil may be formed of a camouflage mesh material. 
         [0018]    The wrap shroud may have a top portion, and the cap portion may have a bottom portion, and the wrap shroud top portion may be secured with the cap portion bottom edge over a length of the wrap shroud top portion, the length being selected so as to be behind the start of the brim on either edge of the cap, wherein the covering provides an opening for eyes of the head. 
         [0019]    The veil may have a top portion secured with the top portion of the wrap shroud by a securement, the securement being positioned below the opening for the eyes. The veil may be sized to allow access to the opening positionable over the nose and mouth opening of the first member, and sized to cover said opening during access thereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    In the Figures,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a form of a head covering of the present invention being worn by a person; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second form of a head covering of the present invention being worn by a person; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view generally of the head covering of  FIG. 1  showing the person accessing their mouth while utilizing the head covering; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the person wearing the head covering of  FIG. 1  and lifting a veil portion thereof to expose a portion of the face; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the person wearing the head covering of  FIG. 1  in conjunction with eyewear; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the components of the head covering of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third form of a head covering of the present invention being worn by a person. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a covering  10  of the present invention is depicted on a person P in a configuration typical for usage in a setting or location wherein the covering  10  is being used to protect a face F, as well as a head H. The covering  10  may be used to protect the face F and head H from, inter alia, weather and elements such as cold air and rain, from sunlight on skin and in eyes E, and, most importantly, from the view of an animal or another person. For convenience, reference to an “animal” herein refers to any living being that the person P may wish to obscure or hide their presence from, including airborne animals such as birds, land or tree-based animals, water-based animals including fish, or other people such as for military or police activities. 
         [0028]    The entirety of the covering  10  is preferably camouflaged. A variety of coverings  10  may be provided so that each has a selected camouflage pattern designed for the environment in which it used. For instance, suitable and effective camouflage patterns are well-known for spring or fall woodland settings, marshland settings, field settings, winter woodland and winter mountaintop settings, etc., wherein the camouflage effectively obscures the presence of the person P in the environment by allowing them to blend in with the surroundings. 
         [0029]    As shown, the covering  10  includes first and second covering portions referred to herein as a veil  20  and a wrap shroud  22 . The wrap shroud  22  generally covers much of the sides and back of the head H, including the ears, as well as a neck of the person P. The wrap shroud  22  has a length so that, if desired, the person P may tuck a lower portion of the wrap shroud  22  into a coat or other torso apparel, or wrap another item around their neck area, so that no portion of the person P is visible, other than their apparel in general including the covering  10 . 
         [0030]    In a preferred form, the covering  10  includes a cap portion  24  having a bill  26  extending therefrom. Utilization of a standard baseball cap in a camouflage pattern, for instance, allows for ease of construction and is familiar to most people. The cap portion  24  also may provide additional warmth for the top or crown of the head H and additional protection from elements. The bill  26  provides a shield from sunlight for the eyes E and the face F, for instance. It also allows the person P to tilt their head H forward to reduce exposure of the eyes E or eyewear W (see  FIG. 5 ) to an animal. Alternatively, the wrap shroud  22  itself may cover the crown and other portions of the head H in the manner of the cap portion  24  and, in a further alternative, a bill  26  may extend directly from a portion of the wrap shroud  22 . 
         [0031]    As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the wrap shroud  22  has a tubular or frusto-conical form. The wrap shroud  22  has a top hem  30  or seam which would be omitted were the wrap shroud  22  to cover the crown of the head H, as discussed above. The top hem  30  has a first portion generally represented as portion  30   a  extending as shown as  30   b  which is connected to the cap portion  24  in a secure manner and second portion  30   c  extending as shown as  30   d  that is free from the cap portion  24  and contains elastic to promote the hem  30  being snug below the eyes E. The second portion  30   c , with its internally sewn elastic, is permitted to stretch below the bill  26  to provide an opening  32  above the top hem  30  and below the bill  26  for viewing from the eyes E, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Additionally, the opening permits the person P to wear eyewear W, as shown in  FIG. 5 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the wrap shroud  22  and the bill  26  generally obscure a substantial portion of the face F, leaving only a small view to the eyes E of the person P. In other forms, complete facial concealment is possible by positioning the hem portion  30   c  above the eyes E and under the bill  26  (or inside the cap portion  24 , as is shown in  FIG. 2 , or by stretching the hem portion  30   c  over the front edge of the bill  26 , as is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0032]    The bill  26  provides other benefits to using the covering  10 . Game hunting is often done at dusk or dawn, feeding time for wild animals and, thus, the time they are most active. Accordingly, a person P that is on a hunting trip needs to be in place before dawn, and/or may need to return home after dusk. This means that the person P often has a need to carry a flashlight for safe traveling in low, early-morning or nighttime lighting. Various forms of headlamp apparatus have been designed for attaching to the bill  26 , such as those including LED lights and battery packs, so that the person P can still see, while having their hands free when climbing a tree (such as for a tree stand) or for balancing when navigating rough terrain, where vision is crucial. 
         [0033]    The extent of the top hem portion  30   a  connected to the cap portion  24  is selected to provide maximum peripheral vision for the person P. Accordingly, it is preferred that the top hem portion  30   a  is secured by a securement  31 , such as a sewn seam, with the cap portion  24  behind the eyes E of the person P when the covering  10  is worn. 
         [0034]    The wrap shroud  22  also includes an opening  34  formed therein. This opening  34  is configured on its own and within the wrap shroud  22  itself so as to provide access through the wrap shroud  22  to mouth M and nose N areas. It should be noted that, generally, reference to an opening (such as opening  34 ) for the mouth is meant to refer to the wearer&#39;s mouth and/or nose areas; alternatively, this is also meant to encompass separate openings for the mouth M and the nose N areas. During use, the opening  34  allows the person P to clear moisture from the face F, and to access the mouth M for eating or using a call C, as is shown in  FIG. 3 . Additionally, the opening  34  allows moisture to escape from the mouth M or nose N. The opening  34  is shown generally as a diamond shaped opening, though any suitable shape may be employed. Preferably, the opening  34  is surrounded by a hem  36  or stitching. 
         [0035]    The veil  20  is secured to the wrap shroud  22  to cover the front of the wrap shroud  22 . More particularly, the veil  20  is large enough to cover the opening  34  in the wrap shroud  22  as well as large enough so that, when the person P uses a call C or otherwise accesses their mouth M or nose N, this activity is still obscured by the veil  20 . The veil  20  is fabricated from mesh material, or the like, attached so that breath, for instance, is able to pass out of the wrap shroud opening  34  and out from the covering  10  in general, thus relieving or alleviating moisture build-up therein. 
         [0036]    The veil  20  has a perimeter hem  40 , a top portion of which is generally represented by  40   a  in  FIG. 6 . The top hem portion  40   a  is secured by a securement  41 , such as a sewn seam, with the wrap shroud top hem  30 , specifically and preferably with portion  30   a  thereof, so that the veil  20  is positioned below and around the eye opening  32 . Other than the top hem portion  40   a , the veil  20  is generally free to move relative to the securement  41  so that it may be lifted or moved to provide access to the mouth opening  34  while obscuring such activity, such as the veil  20  being sized to obscure the person P using the call C. It is noted that hem portion  40   a  may have elastic sewn internally therein, as an alternative to the elastic being sewn into portion  30   c  of the wrap shroud  22 . 
         [0037]    It should be noted that the covering  10  may also be used for preventing insects from reaching the person P, which may be an issue when hunting, fishing, or simply being outdoors as represented in  FIG. 7 . Accordingly, the covering  10  may be used in manners other than when simply attempting to obscure the face F. The advantages of generally covering the entire head H and face F from insects and elements, while still providing access to the mouth M and allowing breath to escape, are beneficially present when used in fashions other than for camouflaging the person P from animals. 
         [0038]    The wrap shroud  22  also has a bottom hem  44 . In some forms, this bottom hem  44  may include a cinch mechanism  46  such as an elastic piece or drawing string, for instance, for drawing the wrap shroud  22  towards the neck area of the person P, assisting in heat retention. 
         [0039]    The cap portion  24  may be of insulated material or may be of traditional baseball cap construction, as described, and having the bill  26  attached thereto. For instance, the cap portion  24  may include insulating and/or water protective layers such as wool, Gortex, or nylon. 
         [0040]    The wrap shroud  22  and veil  20  may be of a variety of materials. For instance, camouflage cloth in both mesh and solid forms are commercially available as dry goods. Alternatively, or in addition, insulated or heat retaining cloth may be used. 
         [0041]    Beneficially, the covering  10  including the cap portion  24  and bill  26  may be conventionally worn as a hat or baseball cap by folding or otherwise tucking the veil  20  and wrap shroud  22  inside or into the cap portion  24  before being donned by the person P. 
         [0042]    As an alternative form,  FIG. 2  shows a head covering without an opening for the eyes E. In this form, the material of the wrap shroud  22  and veil  20  is mesh selected to provide sight therethrough. Similarly,  FIG. 7  shows a head covering without an opening for the eyes E and having the veil  20  with its internal elastic positioned at the front of the cap bill  26  so that the veil is held away from the face and eyes E. In these alternative forms, the veil  20  may be secured with the cap portion  24  or the bill  26 , respectively, or, as discussed above, be constructed so that the veil top hem  40   a  may be stretched and positioned over the bill  26  ( FIG. 7 ), below the eyes E ( FIG. 1 ), or above the eyes E ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0043]    While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.