Abstract:
A versatile upper body garment formed of a stretchable fabric is configured to provide a variety of modes of wear with respect to head covering. A coat, jacket, shirt or vest has an integral hood which covers the wearer&#39;s head. Within the hood is an integral face shield which may be swung behind the wearer&#39;s head or neck when not covering the face, enabling protection of various portions of the face. The hood may be tightened to expose a variable extent of the head or face. The hood and face shield may be configured to be rolled into a hollow collar for storage when not needed.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/079,118 filed Feb. 20, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,996,847. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to upper body garments. More specifically, the invention relates to multifunctional garments which may be worn in a variety of different modes to accommodate a wide range of atmospheric conditions and activities of the wearer. The invention more particularly pertains to coats, jackets, vests or shirts, with appurtenances thereto particularly addressing headwear for cold weather conditions. 
   2. State of the Art 
   The need for warm upper body garments, e.g. coats and jackets, has always been important for humanity. In regions which experience cold temperatures, it has been found that heat transfer from a person&#39;s head and extremities, e.g. arms and legs (particularly the hands and feet) is most critical. This is because the ratio of surface area to mass is highest in these areas, and human activity is often predicated upon having at least a portion of the head and hands being exposed, i.e. uncovered at times. This is true of many outdoor winter activities which are becoming very popular, such as skiing, ski-touring, ice climbing, mountain climbing, rock climbing, ice sailing, skating, ice fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, winter camping and the like. 
   In cold-weather use of an upper body garment such as a jacket or coat, heat transfer from a wearer&#39;s body typically occurs in several specific areas. First, there is general heat transfer through the body and arms of the garment. This heat loss may be controlled by varying the insulative value of the coat material, and/or as commonly practiced, by layering of shirts, sweaters, etc. under the outer garment. Secondly, there is heat loss by movement of air through the space between the lower extremity of the coat and the person&#39;s waist. This heat loss may be controlled by varying the tightness of the coat about the person&#39;s waist. Thirdly, there is heat loss from exposure of the wearer&#39;s head, which in many cases is the major source of heat loss from a wearer&#39;s upper body. Control of the head area which is exposed, and varying the insulative properties of the head covering, are two methods used to effect a desired head temperature. Fourthly, heat transfer from the hands and lower arms is also very important but is not addressed herein. 
   Several patents relating to head coverings are known to the applicant: 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,230 to Sivret et al., a head apparel is shown as a tubular hood configured so that a bottom portion may be rolled up inside the upper portion to become a face covering. Alternatively, the user&#39;s face may be projected through a face opening and the apparel placed on the shoulders. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,690 to Carey et al., a head covering includes a neoprene mask member with holes for breathing. Goggles may be fitted to complete substantial covering of the user&#39;s head, face and neck. 
   Neither of the references shows a garment hood in which a face shield may be retracted without changing the overall dimensions of the hood. Furthermore, none of the references show an attached face shield which may be rolled into a collar and concealed together with a hood. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is, in one embodiment, an upper body garment such as a jacket, coat, shirt or vest configured for cold-weather use where large temperature variations may be encountered. The garment integrally includes or is configured for use with particular headwear and/or handwear, each of which is uniquely designed to be used in a variety of ways to achieve a desired combination of warmth, comfort and dexterity. The torso portion, arms and head covering of the garment may be formed of materials which have the appropriate strength, insulation value, water resistance, stretchability and appearance. The head covering portion may be formed of a pliable material, preferably a stretchable fabric such as a fleece, a hard-surfaced fleece, in combination with a lightweight “shell” type material such as made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) such as are available under the trademark GORTEX®. A variety of other fabrics may also be used, at least a portion of which must have high 2-way or 4-way stretch properties. The head covering and hand coverings of the invention may be combined in various configurations in combination with various garment types, i.e. coat, jacket, shirt, vest, vest with attachable/detachable arms, etc. 
   The head covering of the garment is a hood which is integrally formed with the torso portion. When fully deployed, the hood covers the wearers head surrounding the face. The hood edge at the face opening may include a channel encircling the wearer&#39;s face. A draw-string with terminal cinch devices may be carried in the channel for tightening the hood fabric about the face. In addition, in one embodiment, the hood includes an abbreviated brim for shading the wearer&#39;s eyes. 
   A particular feature of the hood is a soft porous face shield which is attached at each end to the inside of the hood. The face shield may be alternatively worn over the wearer&#39;s lower face, adjustable to cover and insulate either (a) the nose, mouth and neck, (b) the mouth and neck, or (c) the wearer&#39;s neck. When not used to cover the face, nose, mouth and/or neck, the face shield may be positioned behind the wearer&#39;s head or neck. Whether the hood is worn to cover the head, or pulled downward to form a “collar” about the neck (under the chin), the face shield may be usefully used to cover a portion of the face or neck. The face shield may be formed as a permanent part of the hood, or may be configured to be removably attached, as for example with Velcro™ pads, zippers, and the like. The face shield may be formed with a screen panel through which the wearer may breathe, minimizing condensation on the face shield. 
   In one version of the garment, a jacket has a circumferential hollow collar into which the attached hood may be rolled and concealed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a face shield is attached within a concealable hood whereby upper portions of the lateral edges are joined to the interior back of the hood and the lower corner of each lateral edge is detachably attached to the jacket&#39;s collar. Thus, the face shield may be rolled into the hollow collar together with the hood. 
   The face shield is formed of a fabric which is insulative and permits passage of inhalant and exhalant gases at a relatively low pressure drop. The garment including body, hood, arm portions and hand coverings may be formed of a variety of materials, such as artificial fleece, hard-faced fleece, shell material such as known as Gortex© and other materials, with certain elements such as the face shield, i.e face protector, made of materials with a high degree of elasticity or stretchability in two axes. 
   The various combinations of features provide enhanced versatility to the garment, enable a wearer to adapt the hand coverings and head covering to a wide variety of atmospheric conditions (temperature, wind, precipitation, etc.) and degree of physical exertion, without requiring removal or attachment of a separate headwear unit and/or separate handwear units. The versatile garment of the invention is particularly useful when participating in strenuous or dangerous sports, permitting adjustment of hand/finger dexterity and thermal coverage of hands/face during the participation. Loss of garment items under high stress conditions is eliminated or reduced, and wearer comfort is maintained at all times. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The nature of the present invention as well as other embodiments thereof may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, to the appended claims, and to the several drawings herein, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a general frontal view of a first exemplary embodiment of a garment in a closed position with head covering in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a general frontal view of a second exemplary embodiment of a garment with versatile mittens in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a general frontal view of a third exemplary embodiment of a garment with a head covering in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is cross-sectional view through a head covering of the invention in a storage mode, as taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view through a head covering of the invention in a face covering mode, as taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a face shield of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a general frontal view of an exemplary head covering of a garment of the invention in a first mode of wear; 
       FIG. 8  is a general frontal view of an exemplary head covering of a garment of the invention in a second mode of wear; 
       FIG. 9  is a general frontal view of an exemplary head covering of a garment of the invention in a third mode of wear; 
       FIG. 10  is a general frontal view of an exemplary head covering of a garment of the invention in a fourth mode of wear; 
       FIG. 11  is a general frontal view of an exemplary head covering of a garment of the invention in a fifth mode of wear; 
       FIG. 12  is a frontal view of a head covering of the invention for a collared jacket; 
       FIG. 13  is a general side view, partially cut-away, of a head covering of the invention for a collared jacket; 
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of the backside of a hollow collar for storing a head and face protector of the invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a frontal view of another embodiment of head covering of the invention for a collared jacket; 
       FIG. 15  is a general side view of another embodiment of head covering of the invention for a collared jacket; 
       FIG. 16  is a general frontal view of a jacket collar into which a hood and face shield of the invention are rolled up within the collar, in accordance with the invention; and 
       FIG. 17  is a general side view of a jacket collar into which a hood and face shield of the invention are rolled up within the collar, in accordance with the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In use and operation, and referring to  FIG. 1 , a first exemplary embodiment of garment  10  of the invention is depicted as a coat or jacket. As shown, the garment  10  includes a torso portion  12  with integral arm portions  14  and an integral head covering  30  comprising a hood. Each arm portion  14  comprises a tube extending from the torso portion  12  to a lower sleeve portion  16 , shown with a terminal hand covering comprising an integral mitten  20 . The mitten  20  is shown with a terminal opening  18  through which a user&#39;s hand may be extended. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the exemplary garment  10  has a front portion  22  with a zipper  26  which extends from the lower garment edge  24  to opening  28  in the head covering (hood)  30 . The head covering  30  may be fitted with a circumferential cinch cord or drawstring  38  for tightening about the wearer&#39;s head. A face shield  32  comprises an elongate insulative member with each end  34  attached (fixedly or temporarily) to the inside of the head covering  30 . It will be described in more detail, infra. 
     FIG. 2  depicts a second exemplary garment  10 A such as a shirt, sweater or sweatshirt. The garment  10 A is shown with a torso portion  12  with lower edge  24 , and a head opening  28 A. The garment  10 A is shown without a head covering  30  and torso zipper  26 , but with hand coverings  20  at lower sleeve portions  16  of arms  14 . A head covering according to the invention may be configured to be mountable on garment  10 A. 
   In  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the invention is shown as a vest type garment  10 B comprising a torso portion  12  with lower edge  24 . An integral head covering  30  is joined to the torso portion  12  along seams  36 , and is shown as a hood with a manipulable face shield  32 . The head covering  30  has an opening  28 , about which a cinch cord  38  is used to tighten the covering over a wearer&#39;s head. The garment  10 B is also shown with exemplary front zipper  26 , arm openings  40 , and pockets  42 . 
   Turning now to the head covering  30  of the invention, the sectional views of  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the head covering as a hood  30 A in which an insulative face shield (face protector)  32  having ends  34  attached in generally vertical directions to the hood interior  31  on each side of the wearer&#39;s head  122 . In  FIG. 4 , the face shield  32  is positioned behind the wearer&#39;s head  122  to leave the wearer&#39;s nose  128  and face  128  exposed. In this mode, the face shield  32  provides insulative value to the back of the wearer&#39;s head  122 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , the face shield  32  is positioned to cover significant portions of the wearer&#39;s face  128 , including a portion of the nose  128 . The face shield  32  is formed of a stretchable material so that it may be adjusted to cover the nose, mouth, face, chin and/or neck. A tab  138  may be attached to the face shield  32  for finger manipulation to the most desirable position. 
   As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the face shield  32  is typically formed of a roughly rectangular panel of insulative stretchable (pliable) material such as an insulative fabric, including and has an upper edge  132 , lower edge  134 , and ends  34 . A central portion  48  of the shield  32  may optionally be formed of a porous screening or similar material, and is located in the vicinity of the nose and/or mouth to permit heavy breathing by the wearer without saturating the shield with moisture. The ends  34  may be sewn to the inside  31  of hood  30  or joined by other methods, for example by the use of hook and loop strips, such as available under the trademark Velcro®. In the latter case, the face shield  32  may be easily removed for cleaning or replacement. 
   Various modes of wearing the head covering  30 A are illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 , and  11  to achieve varying degrees of weather protection, including warmth. As shown in  FIG. 7 , garment  10  includes a hood  30 A joined to the garment along seam  36 , and has an opening  28  for face exposure. A face shield  32  is shown as overlying a lower portion of face  126  from the nose  124  downward. Sew lines  142  by which the shield ends  34  are attached to the hood  30 A are shown. In addition, an abbreviated brim or bill  140  is shown as formed along an upper edge of opening  28 , for shielding a wearer from sunlight or precipitation. The brim  140  may be formed of an interior shape-retaining member  144  with an outer water-resistant material  146 . The brim  140  is configured to extend outward from the opening  28  a maximum of about 0.75 inch to about 2 inches. A zipper  26  or other opening device enables opening of the garment. Preferably, placement of zipper  26  is such that when the garment  10  is closed, the zipper is substantially covered and not visible. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , a wearer&#39;s face  126  may be exposed by pulling the face shield  32  downward to below the chin  127 , in which case the face shield  32  covers the frontal portion of the neck  121  (see  FIG. 9 ). Zipper  26  may be partially opened for further air circulation, as shown. 
     FIG. 9  shows a wearer&#39;s head  122  from which the hood  30 A has been drawn downwardly. Even in this position, and despite opening of an upper portion of garment  10 , the face shield  32  will retain its position to insulate the front of the wearer&#39;s neck  121 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a wearing mode wherein the wearer&#39;s head  122  is placed in front of the face shield  32 . In this configuration the wearer&#39;s head  122 , face  126  and frontal portions of the neck  121  are fully exposed. 
     FIG. 11  depicts a wearing mode in which the garment  10  is closed, but the face shield  32 , visible in cutaway  146 , is positioned behind the head  122 , leaving the wearer&#39;s face  126  uncovered. 
     FIGS. 12 through 17  illustrate embodiments of the invention whereby a head covering  30 , including the face shield  32  may be rolled downward into the hollow collar  50  of the garment  10 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , when the embodiments described thus far are to be applied to a collared jacket  10 , the face shield  32 , attached to the hood interior  31  along opposed ends  34 , will in an unused mode be behind the hollow collar  50 . The face shield  32  may be easily moved to the front of the wearer&#39;s face  126  by pulling it over the collar  50 . The hood  30  including face shield  32  may be inserted in a circumferential opening  60  (see  FIG. 13A ) in the back side  58  of hollow collar  50 , which is closeable by for example zipper  62 . The lower edge of the hood  30  is attached to the torso portion  12  of garment  10  within the hollow collar  50 . Thus, the hood  30  and face shield  32  will be totally hidden from view when rolled into the collar  50 , which is closed by zipper  62 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the garment  10  may include a zipper cover  46  adjacent the garment&#39;s zipper  26 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the face shield  32  is attached to the hood interior  31  differently. The upper portions of the ends  34  are attached to the hood inside  31  by for example, sewing  66 . The lower portions of the ends  34  of face shield  32  are detachably attached to the inside surface  56  of collar  50  by snaps  64 , hook and loop material, or other attachment means known in the art. In this embodiment, the face shield  32  is inside of the collar  50  when in use. Thus, it provides improved heat retention in the neck area, as seen in  FIG. 15 . The face shield  32  and hood  30  may be rolled up through opening  60  in the backside  58  of the collar  50 , simply by unsnapping the lower snaps  64  and rolling the hood  30  downward. 
   The variety of garment configuration described herein enable a desirable comfort level under widely ranging climatic conditions and activities. Each of the head coverings has various modes of wear whereby rapid changes in temperature, wind speed, or personal activity level may be accommodated rapidly and easily. Such changes may be made “on the run”, i.e. without long pauses in activity. 
   It will be recognized from the above description that the various garment configurations of this invention enable a wearer to perform strenuous activities in greater comfort, safety and enjoyment than was previously attainable. 
   While the present invention has been disclosed herein in terms of certain exemplary embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Many additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed embodiments may be effected without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, features from one embodiment may be combined with features from other embodiments. The scope of the instant invention is only to be limited by the claims which follow.