Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a hooded garment. More particularly, the invention encompasses a hooded garment, such as, a hoodie, with an integrated turtle neck or tubular collar having a zipper. The invention further includes the option of the garment having one or more content sleeves and/or one or more pouches or pockets.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a hooded garment. More particularly, the invention encompasses a hooded garment, such as, a hoodie, with an integrated turtle neck or tubular collar having a zipper. The invention further includes the option of the garment having one or more content sleeves and/or one or more pouches or pockets. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0002]    Since of advent of time human beings have worn various types of clothing to protect themselves from the elements. Some of these clothing have been directed to a cold weather climate, while others to hot weather conditions, and still others to moderate or intermediate temperature environments. 
         [0003]    It is well know in the art that many types of cool or cold weather apparel exist for protecting a wearer&#39;s body, especially, the upper torso, including coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, and other similar outerwear. In many cases, different items of apparel may be worn together, such as a coat and a hat, to improve the overall protection for the wearer. Similarly, certain apparel may combine features, such as a coat liner or removable hood, to increase the circumstances in which the apparel might be appropriately used. 
         [0004]    It is also well known that a significant percentage of a person&#39;s body heat is radiated through his or her head. For this reason, various apparel exist that are designed to cover the head and neck when worn. Among these various items of apparel include face mask, hats, caps, knitted hats, and others. As discussed generally above, at least some of these head and neck protections have been combined with coats and jackets. 
         [0005]    In addition to separate apparel, in some designs, outerwear may include combinations of protective elements in an integrated design. For example, some coats, jackets, sweaters, include a hood that is integrally formed or is removable. This allows the user to cover the head and neck when exposed to the elements and lower (or remove) the hood when not needed. 
         [0006]    In addition to the face and head, protection of the neck is also a desired objective in cool and cold weather garments. For example, scarves are traditionally worn to protect the neck of a wearer during cool or cold weather. The combination of a scarf with a jacket has proven effective in creating a wind barrier for protecting the entire upper torso of a user and to maintain body heat within the combination. 
         [0007]    In this same regard, circular knitted fabric collars, commonly known as “turtleneck” collars have been used in other apparel for similar purposes. In essence, the collar comprises a tube formed of porous stretchable knitted fabric connected to a primary garment which covers the torso of the wearer. Not withstanding the collar&#39;s stylistic desirability, the turtleneck, similar to the scarf, provides a barrier to prevent wind and other elements from the neck and torso of the user. 
         [0008]    However, current apparel designs require wearing combinations of multiple cool and cold weather protection since one garment alone may not be comfortably worn or provide the desired protection needed in a range of temperatures. Depending on the circumstances, users may combine face masks, hooded garments, scarves, turtleneck shirts, long underwear and other garments in combination as a defense against the elements. This is both inconvenient and expensive. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,269,491 (Paul Snyder), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a sports sweater which may be worn under a coat and has a collar which stands up and fits snugly about the neck. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,710 (Thomas, et al.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a garment for protecting the head and neck of a user including a garment body with a neck opening. A hood attached to the garment body. A stretchable tubular knitted collar, attached to the garment body approximate to the neck opening of the garment body and inside at least a portion of the hood. 
         [0011]    Even with these improvements, a need exists for an improved hooded garment. 
         [0012]    Thus a need exists for a hooded garment that has features that protect the neck area as desired by a user or wearer. 
         [0013]    This invention overcomes the problems of the prior art. The invention provides a hooded garment that has a retractable hood and an integrated stretchable tubular collar or a turtle neck having a zipper. 
       PURPOSES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The invention is a novel hooded garment. 
         [0015]    Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a novel hooded garment that has a retractable hood and an integrated stretchable tubular collar or a turtle neck having a zipper. 
         [0016]    Another purpose of this invention is to provide a hooded garment that has a retractable hood and an integrated stretchable tubular collar or a turtle neck having a zipper and has at least one sleeve or pouch or pocket for contents. 
         [0017]    Yet another purpose of this invention is to have a hooded garment that has a retractable hood and an integrated stretchable tubular collar or a turtle neck having a zipper where the zipper extends from a first position to a second position along the front of the hooded garment. 
         [0018]    Still, yet another purpose of this invention is to have a hooded garment that has a retractable hood and an integrated stretchable tubular collar or a turtle neck having a zipper, where a pocket or pouch is provided along a portion of the inside of the hooded garment. 
         [0019]    Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a hooded garment that has a retractable hood and an integrated stretchable tubular collar or a turtle neck having a zipper, where at least one pouch or pocket is provided along at least one sleeve of the hooded garment. 
         [0020]    Therefore, in one aspect this invention comprises a garment, comprising: 
         [0021]    (a) a garment body having a neck opening and sleeves; 
         [0022]    (b) a retractable hood attached by stitching to said garment body; 
         [0023]    (c) a stretchable tubular collar having a continuous enclosed surface for engaging the neck of a wearer and a bottom edge attached to the garment body along a substantial portion of the circumference of the bottom edge, said tubular collar having a sufficient height to cover at least a portion of a wearer&#39;s neck in a first position and to cover at least a portion of a wearer&#39;s neck in a second position; and 
         [0024]    (d) wherein said stretchable tubular collar has at least one zipper extending along a vertical path from a first position to a second position, so that said stretchable tubular collar is in an first position when said zipper is in a first position, and said stretchable tubular collar is in a second position when said zipper is in a second position, and wherein said first position of said zipper is different than said second position of said zipper. 
         [0025]    In another aspect this invention comprises a hooded sweatshirt, comprising: 
         [0026]    (a) a garment body having a neck opening and sleeves; 
         [0027]    (b) a retractable hood, adapted to be worn over a user&#39;s head, attached by stitching to the garment body; 
         [0028]    (c) a stretchable tubular collar having a continuous enclosed surface for engaging the neck of a wearer and a bottom edge attached to the garment body along a substantial portion of the circumference of the bottom edge, said tubular collar having a sufficient height to cover at least a portion of a wearer&#39;s neck in a first position and to cover at least a portion of a wearer&#39;s neck in a second position; and 
         [0029]    (d) wherein said stretchable tubular collar has at least one zipper extending along a vertical path from a first position to a second position, so that said stretchable tubular collar is in an first position when said zipper is in a first position, and said stretchable tubular collar is in a second position when said zipper is in a second position, and wherein said first position of said zipper is different than said second position of said zipper. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    The features of the invention that are novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, like numbers represent like features in the drawings. The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary hooded garment with an integrated tubular collar having a zipper which is used to illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary hooded garment with an integrated tubular collar having a zipper which is used to illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary hooded garment with an integrated tubular collar having a zipper which is used to illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary hooded garment with an integrated tubular collar having a zipper which is used to illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary hooded garment with an integrated tubular collar having a zipper which is used to illustrate a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary hooded garment  10 , with an integrated stretchable tubular collar  20 , having a zip portion or zipper  22 , which is used to illustrate a first embodiment  23 , of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , which is a front view of a hoodie or a hooded garment  10 , the hooded garment  10 , has an integrally formed stretchable tubular collar  20 , and a retractable hood  18 . The hooded garment  10 , also has sleeves  12 , preferably long sleeves  12 , attached to a central body portion or garment body  11 . 
         [0037]    The garment body  11 , is designed to cover a substantial portion of the wearer&#39;s upper torso (not shown) and the arms of the wearer (not shown) are protected with the two long sleeved portions  12 , for each arm. Each sleeve  12 , has a sleeve opening that is well known in the art. It is preferred that one end of the long sleeves  12 , is attached to a stretchable cuff  14 , while the opposite end is attached to a portion of the garment body  11 . 
         [0038]    In one preferred embodiment, the hooded garment  10 , may be formed of a tubular knitted fabric, such as a 2-end or 3-end fleece. Various patterning may be used to form the constitute elements of the hooded garment  10 . For example, the garment body  11 , may have front and rear main panels that are sewn together. Once combined, each of the sleeves  12 , may be formed and sewn for later attachment to the combined front and rear panels. 
         [0039]    The hooded garment  10 , preferably has four openings, two openings for each of the two arms, a stretchable bottom opening  16 , near the wearer&#39;s waist, and a neck opening for receiving the wearer&#39;s neck and head. The cuffs  14 , and/or bottom opening  16 , could have a material possessing sufficient elasticity to snugly, but not uncomfortably, fit a wearer. 
         [0040]    A retractable hood  18 , is preferably separately formed and is connected to the garment body  10 , at around the front and back of the wearer. The hood  18 , preferably has two openings: one for receiving the head and neck of the wearer, and a face opening for allowing the wearer to see through from the front of the hood  18 . 
         [0041]    The retractable hood  18 , preferably includes at least one drawstring  26 , which is routed through at least one sleeve or passage or channel along the periphery of the face opening of the hood  18 . The wearer may reduce the effective size of the face opening of the hood  18 , by merely pulling the drawstring  26 , and closing the frontal opening of the retractable hood  18 . This reduction of the frontal opening of the retractable hood  18 , provides a greater form of protection to the wearer. 
         [0042]    In an exemplary embodiment, the garment  23 , also includes a stretchable tubular collar  20 , having an integrated zipper  22 . The stretchable tubular collar  20 , can be formed of a circular knitted fabric that may be the same fabric used to form the hood  18 , and/or body portion  11 , and/or long sleeves  12 . It is also possible for the tubular collar  20 , to be of a different fabric or material. For example, the tubular collar  20 , could be formed of a material having a softer feel than the remainder of the garment  23 . An important feature of the stretchable tubular collar  20 , is that it possesses sufficient elasticity to snugly, but not uncomfortably, fit about the neck (and/or face) of the wearer, especially, when it is in its full extended position. Another important feature of the stretchable tubular collar  20 , is that it has at least one zipper  22 , that originates at a first position  29 , such as, from the bottom portion or edge of the tubular collar  20 , and terminates at a second position, such as, the upper portion or edge of the tubular collar  20 . 
         [0043]    Once created, the retractable hood  18 , and the tubular collar  20 , are positioned about the entire neck opening and sewn in place such that the zip portion  22 , of the tubular collar  20 , faces the frontal opening of the retractable hood  18 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a portion of the retractable hood  18 , about the neck opening overlaps with tubular collar  20 , such that a V-shaped opening  19 , in the body portion  11 , overlaps and covers the end portion  29 , of the tubular collar  20 , and the zipper  22 . It is preferred that the stretchable tubular collar  20 , is attached to at least a portion of the garment body  11 , around the neck opening area and inside at least a portion of the retractable hood  18 , such that the upper portion of the hooded garment  10 , has only one neck opening for the passage of wearer&#39;s head, face and neck. 
         [0044]    This invention allows the wearer to cover their head and neck but still see through a face opening or to open the front portion of the tubular collar  20 , or any other similar combination. The retractable hood  18 , is dimensioned such that the wearer may place the hood  18 , on their head, and completely extend the tubular collar  20 , around the neck and a portion of the face, and it would still not interfere with the ability of the user to clearly see through the face opening in the retractable hood  18 . 
         [0045]    The tubular collar  20 , is dimensioned to extend between a retracted position and an extended position. This retraction and extension of the tubular collar  20 , can be done with the zip portion  22 , either in the open or close position. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the tubular collar  20 , is in an extended position below the face of a wearer and about the wearer&#39;s neck. The combination of having the retractable hood  18 , in an up position with the tubular collar  20 , in a extended position, protects the wearer&#39;s head and neck, while leaving the face of the wearer exposed. 
         [0046]    A person skilled in the art can fully appreciate that the retractable tubular collar  20 , and the retractable hood  18 , may be used in various combinations to expand the acceptable range of usage for the inventive garment  23 . 
         [0047]    The body portion  11 , of the hooded garment  10 , could optionally have a central pocket or sleeve  25 , having openings  27 ,  28 , attached to the front of the garment  10 , for placing of contents, such as, for example, hands. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary hooded garment  10 , with an integrated stretchable tubular collar  30 , having a zip portion or zipper  32 , which is used to illustrate a second embodiment  33 , of the present invention. The hooded garment  10 , is similar to the embodiment  23 , shown in  FIG. 1 , except that the zipper  32 , extends along the body portion  31 , of the hooded garment  10 , from a first position  39 , such as, the bottom opening  39 , or the bottom edge  36 , of the hooded garment  10 , to a second position, such as, upper edge of the tubular collar  30 . As one can see that the tubular collar  30 , is joined to the body portion  31 , of the hooded garment  10 , around the neck area  34 . For some applications the body portion  31 , could have pockets or pouches or sleeves  25 , having openings  37 ,  38 , for contents, such as, hands. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary hooded garment  10 , with an integrated stretchable tubular collar  40 , having a zipper or zip portion  42 , which is used to illustrate a third embodiment  43 , of the present invention. The hooded garment  10 , is similar to the embodiment  23 , shown in  FIG. 1 , except that the zipper  42 , extends along the body portion  11 , of the hooded garment  10 , from a first position  49 , such as, the upper middle area of the body portion  11 , or the wearer&#39;s chest area of the hooded garment  10 , to a second position, such as, upper edge of the tubular collar  40 . As one can see that the tubular collar  40 , is joined and integrated with the body portion  11 , of the hooded garment  10 , below the neck area  49 , such that both V-shaped opening  19 , and the first position  49 , of the zipper  42 , overlap and integrate around area  19  and  49 . For some applications the body portion  11 , could have at least one pocket or pouch or sleeve  46 , having at least one flap  45 , for at least one opening  41 , for contents. The opening  41 , could also have a re-sealable closure  41 , such as, for example, a zipper  41 , Velcro  41 , a snap-type button  41 , a slider  41 , to name a few. The pocket  46 , could optionally have openings  47 ,  48 , for the placement of contents, such as, for example, a wearer&#39;s hands. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary hooded garment  10 , with an integrated tubular collar  30 , having a zipper  32 , which is used to illustrate a fourth embodiment  53 , of the present invention. The hooded garment  10 , is similar to the embodiment  23 , shown in  FIG. 1 , except that the zipper  32 , extends along the body portion  31 , of the hooded garment  10 , from a first position  39 , such as, the bottom opening  39 , or the bottom edge  36 , of the hooded garment  10 , to a second position, such as, upper edge of the tubular collar  30 . As one can see that the tubular collar  30 , is joined to the body portion  31 , of the hooded garment  10 , around the neck area  34 . For some applications the body portion  31 , could have pockets or pouches or sleeves  57 ,  58 , having openings from the top, for contents. One could also have at least one pocket or pouch or sleeve  55 , which is strategically placed inside the hooded garment  10 . For some applications it may be desirable to have at least one pocket or pouch or sleeve  51 , which is strategically placed along the sleeve  12 , of the hooded garment  10 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary hooded garment  10 , with an integrated tubular collar  60 , having a zipper or zip portion  62 , which is used to illustrate a fifth embodiment  63 , of the present invention. The hooded garment  10 , is similar to the embodiment  23 , shown in  FIG. 1 , except that the zipper  62 , extends along the body portion or garment body  61 , of the hooded garment  10 , from a first position  69 , such as, above a pocket or sleeve  66 , to a second position, such as, upper edge of the stretchable tubular collar  60 . As one can see that the tubular collar  60 , is joined and integrated with the body portion  61 , of the hooded garment  10 , at around area  69 , such that the V-shaped opening  19 , of the hooded garment and the area  69 , allow the zipper  62 , to travel from a first position  69 , of the zipper  62 , which is around the integrated area  19  and  69 , to a second position which is to the upper edge of the tubular collar  60 . For some applications the body portion  61  or garment body  61 , could have at least one pocket or pouch or sleeve  66 , having at least one ornamental-type opening  67 ,  68 , for contents. The pocket or pouch or sleeve  66 , could also have a second zipper  2 , along at least one edge of the pocket or sleeve  66 . For some applications one could also have a belt  64  or at least one second drawstring  64 . It is preferred that the second drawstring  64 , is below the end  69 , of the zipper  62 , so as to further allow a more loose or snug fitting of the lower portion of the hooded garment  10 , as desired by a wearer, and this could be done by drawing the ends of the second drawstring  64 , closer for a tighter fit or loosening the ends of the second drawstring  64 , for a more looser fit. 
         [0052]    The material for the hooded garment  23 ,  33 ,  43 ,  53 ,  63  could be selected from a group comprising, a wool material, a cotton material, a nylon-type material, a fire-retardant material, a moisture absorbing material, a synthetic material, fleece material, to name a few. 
         [0053]    It should be appreciated that in one application the combination of the retractable hood  18 , with a stretchable tubular collar  20 , enables the wearer to cover a substantial portion of their head and neck and also to prevent migration of cold air, rain, snow or other elements from entering the neck opening. While in a another application the combination of the retractable hood  18 , with a stretchable tubular collar  20 , enables the wearer to lower or open the zipper  22 , to allow the exposure of the neck area to the elements. While in yet another application the combination of the retractable hood  18 , with a stretchable tubular collar  20 , enables the wearer to lower or open the zipper  22 , and retract the retractable hood  18 , so as to allow the exposure of the neck, face and head area to the elements. 
         [0054]    For some applications the retractable hood  18 , could have a brim of a cap so as to allow a user a greater protection of their face. 
         [0055]    The retractable hood  18 , and the circular or tubular collar  20 , could be created as an integral unit and then attached to the garment body  11 , or the tubular collar  20 , could be positioned inside the retractable hood  18 , and the combination of the two elements could be sewn about the neck opening of the main body portion of the garment  10 . 
         [0056]    For some applications the tubular collar  20 , could be positioned within the retractable hood  18 , prior to the sewing operation, and the combination could be sewn to the garment body  11 , about the neck opening in a single step which would save time and would be more cost efficient. 
         [0057]    This invention having an integrally formed combination of a garment body  10 ,  11 , a stretchable tubular collar  20 , and a retractable hood  18 , allows a user to adjust the garment  23 , for wearing in a wider range of conditions and temperatures than conventional apparel. 
         [0058]    It should be appreciated that the garment body  11 , sleeves  12 , stretchable cuffs  14 , stretchable bottom  16 , retractable hood  18 , stretchable tubular collar  20 , zipper  22 , and pocket  25 , could be of the same color or of a different color or a combination thereof. Similarly, the material for the various components of the hooded garment  23 , could be of the same material or of a different material or a combination thereof. 
         [0059]    As stated earlier, the first position of the zipper could be selected from a group comprising of an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. Similarly, the second position of the zipper could be selected from a group comprising of an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position, to name a few. 
         [0060]    Similarly, the first position of the zipper could be selected from a group comprising of an upper edge of the tubular collar, a lower edge of the tubular collar, an intermediate position along the tubular collar, an upper edge of the body portion, a lower edge of the body portion, and an intermediate position along the body portion, to name a few. However, for some applications the second position of the zipper could be selected from a group comprising of an upper edge of the tubular collar, a lower edge of the tubular collar, an intermediate position along the tubular collar, an upper edge of the body portion, a lower edge of the body portion, and an intermediate position along the body portion, to name a few. 
         [0061]    It should be appreciated that the stretchable tubular collar is dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the neck and at least a portion of the face of a wearer while the retractable hood is extended over a user&#39;s head. Similarly, the stretchable tubular collar is also dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the neck and at least a portion of the face of a wearer while the retractable hood is retracted from a user&#39;s head. 
         [0062]    It is preferred that the bottom edge of the retractable hood is attached to the garment body along the entire neck opening, while for some applications the bottom edge of the stretchable tubular collar could be attached to the garment body along the entire neck opening. 
         [0063]    For most applications the zipper is attached along the entire vertical length of the tubular collar. However, for some applications the zipper could be attached along the entire vertical length of the tubular collar, and as well as along at least a portion of the garment body. 
         [0064]    For some applications the pocket  51 , could include at least one device which is capable but is not limited to: GPS, electrical, positional, inertial, gravitational, magnetic, radiation, temperature, light, conventional radio communications, other radio frequency or electromagnetic radiation based communications and networking, conventional networking of the above, to name a few. 
         [0065]    Similarly, for some applications the pocket  51 , could include at least one device which is capable but is not limited to: health status (i.e. heart rate, temperature, skin conductivity, alive/dead, among others), and navigational awareness which can be incorporated by the inclusion of, for example, biological signs, inertial sensors, GPS receivers, to name a few. 
         [0066]    While the present invention has been particularly described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.