PROTECTIVE SCARF
Provided are multiple embodiments of a protective scarf. In each embodiment of the present invention, the protective scarf defines a central portion, one edge of which is outfitted with an elastic band which extends along at least a portion of the length of such edge. Additionally, attached to one side or face of the central portion is an interior face panel or shield which covers the wearer's nose and mouth when the central portion is selectively moved from a collapsed position residing at or below the wearer's chin, to an extended position wherein it pulled upwardly to cover the wearer's mouth and nose. In each embodiment of the scarf of the present invention, the elastic band integrated into the central portion, and a fastening mechanism also included on the scarf, are collectively operative to maintain the central portion in its extended position despite movement of the wearer's head.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/305,073, filed Feb. 16, 2010.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to articles of wearing apparel and, more particularly, to a scarf which is uniquely configured to provide the protective functions typically associated with a scarf (e.g., neck and facial warming), as well as optional protection from the spread of germs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Even a cursory review of media headlines demonstrates that there is a heightened global awareness amongst the general public regarding the risks associated with airborne disease transmission, a recent example being the world wide fears attributable to the spread of swine flu. Protective face masks that cover the nose and mouth of the wearer to filter air and/or prevent the spread of germs are well known in the prior art. Such masks take on many forms, including disposable molded masks that substantially fit the contour over the bridge of the nose and around the mouth of the wearer, and flexible masks such as those used for surgery. These masks typically include one or more bands for attachment around the back of the head to retain the mask over the wearer's nose and mouth. Other masks of this type provide for an ear loop attachment wherein bands extending from the side of the mask loop around the back of the wearer's ears. While these types of masks provide certain levels of efficacy in relation to protecting against the inhalation and transmission of airborne contaminants or germs, the aesthetic attributes of such masks results in their use being largely confined to medical and laboratory environments (e.g., hospitals), or specialized industrial environments. In this regard, individuals wearing these types of masks outside of such clinical or specialized industrial settings are often subject to unwanted stares or scrutiny, thus deterring mask usage.
In contrast to the protective masks described above, conventional scarves, which are staple items of wearing apparel of the general public, typically comprise long pieces of cloth having a length greater than their width dimension, and are most often used to keep a wearer's neck protected from cold and wind. Most scarves, after being wrapped around the neck of a wearer, can be pulled upwardly so as to cover those portions of the wearer's face (i.e., the nose and the mouth) which would also be covered by a protective mask having one of the aforementioned designs. Thus, though a conventional scarf, when extended over the wearer's nose and mouth, may be used to mimic some of the germ transmission prevention characteristics of protective masks, the designs of currently known scarves are not particularly well suited to this particular purpose of use. More particularly, when extended to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, conventional scarves lack structural features which allow the same to be easily maintained in this particular orientation. In this regard, even minor movements of the wearer's head tend to give rise to a loosening which causes the scarf to fall downwardly over at least the wearer's nose, and more often the both the wearer's nose and mouth.
The protective scarf constructed in accordance with the present invention addresses the need in the marketplace for a protective device which provides many of the safeguards of the aforementioned protective masks, but has the more desirable aesthetic qualities of a conventional scarf. Thus, use of the protective scarf constructed in accordance with the present invention need not be confined to any particular environment, and is perfectly suited for use in environments such as the work place, shopping malls, or other venues frequented by high concentrations of individuals. These, as well as other features and advantages of the present invention, will be described in more detail below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, there is provided multiple embodiments of a protective scarf. In each embodiment of the present invention, the protective scarf defines a central portion, one edge of which is outfitted with an elastic band which extends along at least a portion of the length of such edge. Additionally, attached to one side or face of the central portion is an interior face panel or shield which covers the wearer's nose and mouth when the central portion is selectively moved from a collapsed position residing at or below the wearer's chin, to an extended position wherein it pulled upwardly to cover the wearer's mouth and nose. In each embodiment of the scarf of the present invention, the elastic band integrated into the central portion, and a fastening mechanism also included on the scarf, are collectively operative to maintain the central portion in its extended position despite movement of the wearer's head.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:
Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,
In the scarf 10, that portion of the first edge 12 extending along (i.e., spanning) the central portion 22 preferably includes an elongate band or strip of a resilient material (e.g., an elastic band 26) disposed therein. As best seen in
Referring now to
The scarf 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is further preferably provided with a first fastener 32 and a second fastener 34 which are secured to respective ones of the inner and outer surfaces 11, 13. More particularly, the first fastener 32 is secured to the outer surface 13 and located upon one of the gathered portions 20, the first fastener 32 being located closer to the first edge 12 than to the second edge 14. Similarly, the second fastener 34 is secured to the inner surface 11 and located upon the remaining one of the gathered portions 20, the second fastener 34 also being disposed closer to the first edge 12 than the second edge 14. The first and second fasteners 32, 34 are each preferably fabricated from an elongate strip of hook and loop fastener material (i.e., Velcro®).
As is apparent from
In the scarf 10, the first and second fasteners 32, 34 are each preferably fabricated to be of sufficient length so as to provide at least some measure of adjustability/compatibility to differing neck sizes of different wearers of the scarf 10. Additionally, though not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the first and second fasteners 32, 34 shown and described above may be substituted with other types of fasteners such as a series of complimentary snap connectors without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Referring now to
Referring now
Referring now to
In the scarf 100 that portion of the first edge 112 extending along (i.e., spanning) the central portion 122 preferably includes an elongate band or strip of a resilient material (e.g., an elastic band) disposed therein. The elastic band is preferably captured within a complimentary pocket defined by folding over and thereafter attaching a portion of the scarf 100 to the inner surface 111 thereof. The functionality of the elastic band will be discussed in more detail below.
As seen in
The scarf 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention is further preferably provided with a first fastener 132 and a second fastener 134 which are secured to respective ones of the inner and outer surfaces 111, 113. More particularly, the first fastener 132 is secured to the outer surface 113 and located upon one of the gathered portions 120, the first fastener 132 being located closer to the first edge 112 than to the second edge 114. Similarly, the second fastener 134 is secured to the inner surface 111 and located upon the remaining one of the gathered portions 120, the second fastener 134 also being disposed closer to the first edge 112 than the second edge 114. The first and second fasteners 132, 134 are each preferably fabricated from an elongate strip of hook and loop fastener material (i.e.,) Velcro®).
As is apparent from
In the scarf 100, the first and second fasteners 132, 134 are each preferably fabricated to be of sufficient length so as to provide at least some measure of adjustability/compatibility to differing neck sizes of different wearers of the scarf 100. Additionally, though not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the first and second fasteners 132, 134 shown and described above may be substituted with other types of fasteners such as a series of complimentary snap connectors without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A protective scarf wearable around the neck and face of a wearer, the protective scarf comprising:
- a central portion and a pair of opposed flap portions, the central portion being disposed between the pair of opposed flap portions, the central portion and the pair of opposed flap portions collectively defining an inner surface and an opposed outer surface; and
- a shield coupled to the inner surface at the central portion;
- the protective scarf being configured to be transitional between a first collapsed position wherein the central portion is disposed over the wearer's neck, and a second extended position wherein central portion extends over a portion of the wearer's face such that the shield covers the wearer's mouth.
2. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1, wherein the scarf includes a first edge extending longitudinally along the scarf between the pair of opposed flap portions, the scarf further comprising an elastic band disposed adjacent the first edge and the shield, the elastic band being configured to bias the pair of opposed flap portions toward each other.
3. The protective scarf as recited in claim 2, wherein the scarf includes a second edge extending longitudinally in spaced relation to the first edge between the pair of opposed flap portions, the scarf being configured to maintain the second edge adjacent the wearer's chin when the scarf is in the second extended position.
4. The protective scarf as recited in claim 3, wherein the scarf is configured such that the first edge extends over the bridge of the wearer's nose when the scarf is in the second extended position.
5. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first fastener coupled to the outer surface and a second fastener coupled to the inner surface, the first fastener being cooperatively engageable to the second fastener when the scarf is wrapped around the wearer.
6. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1, wherein the shield releasably coupled to the inner surface.
7. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1 further configured to define a pair of gathered portions disposed on respective sides of the central portion.
8. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1, further comprising a supplemental strip coupled to the inner surface adjacent one of the pair of opposed flap portions, the supplemental strip defining at least one pocket.
9. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1, wherein the protective shield is fabricated from a pliable fabric material.
10. The protective scarf as recited in claim 1, wherein the pair of opposed flap portions are configured to extend over a respective shoulder of the wearer when the scarf is wrapped around the wearer's neck.
11. A protective scarf wearable around the neck and face of a wearer, the protective scarf comprising:
- a central portion and a pair of opposed flap portions, the central portion being disposed between the pair of opposed flap portions, the central portion and the pair of opposed flap portions collectively defining an inner surface, an opposed outer surface, a first edge and an opposed second edge, the pair of opposed flap portions terminating to define a pair of side edges extending between the first edge and the second edge;
- a shield coupled to the inner surface at the central portion; and
- a pair of gathered portions disposed on respective sides of the central portion and adjacent a respective one of the pair of side edges;
- the protective scarf being configured to be transitional between a first collapsed position wherein the central portion is disposed over the wearer's neck, and a second extended position wherein shield extends over a portion of the wearer's face.
12. The protective scarf as recited in claim 11, wherein the scarf further includes an elastic band disposed adjacent the first edge and the shield, the elastic band being configured to bias the pair of opposed flap portions toward each other.
13. The protective scarf as recited in claim 12, wherein the scarf includes a second edge extending longitudinally in spaced relation to the first edge between the pair of opposed flap portions, the scarf being configured to maintain the second edge adjacent the wearer's chin when the scarf is in the second extended position.
14. The protective scarf as recited in claim 13, wherein the scarf is configured such that the first edge extends over the bridge of the wearer's nose when the scarf is in the second extended position.
15. The protective scarf as recited in claim 11, further comprising a first fastener coupled to the outer surface and a second fastener coupled to the inner surface, the first fastener being cooperatively engageable to the second fastener when the scarf is wrapped around the wearer.
16. The protective scarf as recited in claim 11, wherein the shield releasably coupled to the inner surface.
17. The protective scarf as recited in claim 11, wherein the protective shield is fabricated from a pliable fabric material.
18. A protective scarf wearable around the neck and face of a wearer, the protective scarf comprising:
- a central portion and a pair of opposed flap portions, the central portion being disposed between the pair of opposed flap portions, the central portion and the pair of opposed flap portions collectively defining an inner surface and an opposed outer surface; and
- a shield coupled to the inner surface at the central portion;
- the scarf being configured to be wrappable around the wearer to selectively dispose the shield over the nose and mouth of the wearer.
19. The protective scarf as recited in claim 18, wherein the scarf includes a first edge extending longitudinally along the scarf between the pair of opposed flap portions, the scarf further comprising an elastic band disposed adjacent the first edge and the shield, the elastic band being configured to bias the pair of opposed flap portions toward each other.
20. The protective scarf as recited in claim 18, wherein the shield releasably coupled to the inner surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 16, 2011
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2011
Inventor: VERONICA KUMMERFELDT (Chino Hills, CA)
Application Number: 13/028,441