HOODED GARMENT

Abstract

A hooded garment which is worn by a user and comprising a hood adapted to be worn on a user's head, the hood including a back head portion, a top portion, two opposed lateral portions, a front head portion and a neck portion circumferentially extending around the user's neck, the back head portion and a back of the neck portion forming a back portion of the hood, a face opening defined in the front head portion through which a user's face protrudes, the face opening being located between the top portion, the lateral portions and the neck portion of the hood, an elastic member located on the back portion, and a pocket portion in the back portion above the elastic member, the pocket portion being able to accommodate at least some of a user's loose hair.

Description

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The present application relates to a hooded garment to be worn by women and men to stabilize hair for instance during athletic activities, or during other activities in which one's hair must be covered, for example in the health or food sectors, among others.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

A common issue, for both women and men, is that long hair may impede physical maneuvers during certain activities, such as sports. Similarly, for religious reasons, some women must cover their heads while practicing sports, for example by wearing a hijab. In order to accommodate these women and/or to help people minimize possible impediments caused by their hair, a layer of material is generally provided on the wearer's head. However, this later of material may be unsecured, unstable, slippery and may use inappropriate materials, such that it does not dissipate sweat and heat efficiently.

Alternatively, hooded garments may be provided to facilitate the maneuvers of the wearer, while being as comfortable as possible. However, if the hooded garment is not anatomically shaped, there may be some loose garment material impeding the maneuvers of the wearer and the stability of the garment, for instance under helmets. In addition, the neck portion of existing hooded garments may become loose due to sweat and/or sudden movements for example or might not be appropriate for certain activities. Therefore, improvements in the art of hooded garments yet exist.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

It is therefore an aim of the present disclosure to provide a hooded garment that addresses issues associated with the prior art.

Therefore, in accordance with the present application, there is provided a hooded garment which is worn by a user, the hooded garment comprising a hood adapted to be worn on a user's head, the hood including a back head portion, a top portion, two opposed lateral portions, a front head portion and a neck portion circumferentially extending around the user's neck, the back head portion and a back of the neck portion forming a back portion of the hood, a face opening defined in the front head portion through which a user's face protrudes, the face opening being located between the top portion, the lateral portions and the neck portion of the hood, an elastic member located on the back portion, and a pocket portion in the back portion above the elastic member, the pocket portion being able to accommodate at least some of a user's loose hair.

In accordance with the present application, there is further provided a method for putting on a hooded garment, the method comprising inserting one's head through a first opening in the hooded garment, with a hood being in front of the head when the head is in the first opening, pulling a hood of the hooded garment over one's head with the head entering the hood through the first opening, such that a face opening in the hooded garment is aligned with a user's face; and closing the first opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a hooded garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of the hooded garment of FIG. 1, with a tail portion outside of the hooded garment;

FIG. 2B is a schematic elevation view of the hooded garment of FIG. 2A with the tail portion inserted into the hooded garment and with the protective strip folded open;

FIG. 2C is a schematic elevation view of the hooded garment of FIG. 2A as ready for use;

FIGS. 3A-3D are a schematic sequence of a user person in the process of putting on the hooded garment; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of different embodiments of a torso support portion, which may include sleeves and/or a crotch strap, of the hooded garment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, and more specifically to FIG. 1, a hooded garment in accordance with the present disclosure is generally shown at 10. The hooded garment 10 is used to cover the head, neck and a portion of the torso of a wearer. The hooded garment 10 is particularly suited for athletic activities.

The hooded garment 10 has a hood 12, a torso support portion 13 (FIGS. 3A-3D) and a neck portion 14.

The hood 12 covers the head of the wearer and holds the loose hair of the wearer in a generally stable position.

The torso support portion 13 attaches the hooded garment 10 on the torso of the wearer. In the embodiment shown, the torso support portion 13 attaches the hooded garment 10 below the armpits of the wearer, in order to be secured thereto. In another embodiment, the hooded garment 10 may be used without a torso support portion 13 and solely including a hood 12 and a neck portion 14.

The neck portion 14 interconnects the hood 12 to the torso support portion 13 and accommodates the neck of the wearer.

Referring to FIG. 1, the hooded garment 10 has a hood 12 with a back head portion, a top portion, a front head portion, and lateral portions, in addition to the neck portion 14. The hood 12 is sized to anatomically conform the head of the wearer, with the exception of a pocket, as mentioned below. Accordingly, the hood 12 may come in different sizes and/or different geometries and/or different textile materials comprising elastomeric fibers. A face opening 20 is defined in the front head portion. The face opening 20 is sized so as to allow a portion of the face of the wearer to be exposed when the hooded garment 10 is worn. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3D, an upper peripheral edge of the face opening 20 is above the brows of the wearer, while a lower peripheral edge of the face opening 20 is below the chin. Other sizes are considered as well, for instance, to cover most of the face of the wearer with the exception of the eyes, for protection in cold-weather use, or for covering one's face (e.g., facial protection, mask, religious requirements).

Although not shown, an elastic may be provided at the periphery of the face opening 20 to ensure that the periphery of the face opening 20 is held against the skin of the wearer.

A pocket 21 is positioned in the back head portion of the hood 12. The pocket 21 is a cavity defined by additional material in this area of the hood 12 with regard to the usual anatomy of the back of the head of the wearer. Accordingly, the cavity is defined as a pocket as it accommodates the loose hair of the wearer, such as a ponytail, long back hair, mullet or the like.

An elastic 22 is positioned below the pocket 21 and is in a generally horizontal position. The elastic 22 will stabilize the rear of the hood 12 when loose hair is accommodated in the pocket 21 and will help maintain and hold the wearer's hair in place against the back of the wearer's head, for instance when sudden movements are performed by the wearer. The elastic 22 may also hold the wearer's hair even if the hair is not in the pocket, but simply against the back of the wearer's head. In other embodiments, the elastic 22 may be positioned vertically or may be curved, for example, in the shape of a half-circle or in the shape of a crescent moon.

An opening 23 is adjacent to the elastic 22, and in the embodiment shown, is below the elastic 22. The opening 23 is typically a slit in the back head portion of the hood 12, and is generally parallel to the elastic 22. The opening 23 will allow a user to manipulate loose hair from the back head portion of the hood 12, for instance to position the loose hair in the pocket 21. The opening 23 is closeable by a fastener 24. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fastener may be a button system (including one or more buttons and appropriate slits), or any other appropriate fastener such as Velcro™, a zipper closure or the like.

A protective strip 25 extending from a portion of the neck portion 14, in proximity of the opening 23, may be provided to cover the fastener 24. In one embodiment, the protective strip 25 may be elastic. In another embodiment, the protective strip 25 is directly over the fastener, and may be folded away for the wearer to readily access the fastener 24.

As seen in FIG. 2A, a tail portion 26 of additional material may be provided as connected to the hood 12 above the opening 23. The tail portion 26 will extend toward the neck portion 14, and will be caught between a remainder of the hood 12 and the back of the head and neck of the wearer, thereby adding stability to the back head portion of the hood 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the above-referred components of the hood 12 are illustrated, and the method of closing the opening 23 is described. Referring to FIG. 2A, the tail portion 26 is insertable through the opening 23 and will extend toward the neck portion 14. In doing so, the hood 12 will have the tail portion 26 and elastic 22 to stabilize the back of the hood 12 when hair is accommodated in the pocket 21.

Once the loose hair is in the pocket 21 and the tail portion 26 is entered via the opening 23 and extended towards the neck portion 14, the fasteners 24 close the opening 23, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2C, the protective strip 25 is folded over the fasteners 24, thereby preventing the fasteners 24 from becoming entangled with the surrounding environment. In another embodiment, depending on the type of fastener 24 used, the opening 23 may not be fully closed. In one embodiment, the fastener 24 may simply be used to attach one side of the opening 23 to an opposite side of the opening, while not necessarily fully closing the opening 23, so as to allow air flow therethrough or to keep part of the hair outside.

If the hooded garment 10 has a torso support portion 13, referring to FIG. 4, the hooded garment 10 is shown having different configurations for the torso support portion 13. The torso support portion 13 may have arm openings 30, a breast section 31, a stomach section 32, and a lower body portion 33 of different shapes. The torso support portion 13 may have sleeves of different lengths, such as full length, midlength, short, or may alternatively be sleeveless. In one embodiment, the hooded garment 10 may extend to a person's lower abdomen and may include a crotch strap or undergarment connecting a front portion of the hooded garment to a back portion of the hooded garment 10. It is pointed out that the hooded garment 10 may have supplementary materials in the breast section 31 (FIG. 4) to be used as a bra.

The hooded garment may be made using various materials, including one of or a combination of textile materials generally used for athletic garb or for various other uses, such as stretchable fabrics, for example spandex, or a mixture of spandex and other materials such as polyester, woven, knitted, non-woven fibers and finishes. In one embodiment, the material may be elastic and air-breathable.

In another embodiment, the hooded garment 10 may include a front opening or side opening, such that the hooded garment may be put on in a manner similar to a vest. In one embodiment, the front opening may be located on a front portion of the torso support portion 13 and may extend from the bottom of the torso support portion 13 up to the neck portion 14. In another embodiments, the front opening may extend into the neck portion 14 and to the face opening. In one embodiment, the side opening may be located on a lateral portion of the hooded garment 10 and may extend from a bottom of the torso support portion 13 and to a sleeve or arm opening of the torso support portion 13. Alternatively, the side opening may extend to the neck portion 14. The front openings or side openings may be opened and closed using fasteners thereof, for example zippers.

Now that the hooded garment 10 and its various possible components have been described, there is illustrated a sequence of installation of the hooded garment by a user person.

In FIG. 3A, the user person is illustrated without the hooded garment 10. The user person may have various undergarments, such as a bra, as shown in FIG. 3A.

In FIG. 3B, the hooded garment 10 is put on by the wearer such that the torso support portion 13 covers the torso of the wearer. According to an embodiment, the head of the wearer passes through the opening 23 such that the hood 12 is in front of the wearer, who can easily manipulate the various components of the hood 12.

From FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D, the hood 12 is flipped over the head of the wearer, such that the head is tucked into the hood 12 and the wearer's loose hair is tucked into the pocket 21, with the face aligned with the face opening 20. During this sequence, the hood 12 presses the wearer's hair against the back of the wearer's head and holds the hair in place thereagainst.

At that moment, the sequence of closing as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C is applied, if the hooded garment 10 has a tail portion 26, and as shown in FIG. 3C, the fasteners 24 are closed, thereby closing the opening 23.

Claims

1. A hooded garment which is worn by a user, the hooded garment comprising:

a hood adapted to be worn on a user's head, the hood including a back head portion, a top portion, two opposed lateral portions, a front head portion and a neck portion circumferentially extending around the user's neck, the back head portion and a back of the neck portion forming a back portion of the hood;

a face opening defined in the front head portion through which a user's face protrudes, the face opening being located between the top portion, the lateral portions and the neck portion of the hood;

an elastic member located on the back portion; and

a pocket portion in the back portion above the elastic member, the pocket portion being able to accommodate at least some of a user's loose hair.

2. The hooded garment according to claim 1, wherein the hooded garment comprises a torso support portion connected to the neck portion, by which the hooded garment is retained on the user.

3. The hooded garment according to claim 2, wherein the torso support portion includes two arm openings through which a user's arms pass, the hooded garment being maintained on the user by the arms passing through the arm openings.

4. The hooded garment according to claim 1, wherein the hooded garment includes a back opening in the back portion below the elastic member, such that an interior of the pocket portion is accessible from the back portion.

5. The hooded garment according to claim 4, wherein the hooded garment includes fastener means in the back portion to close the back opening.

6. The hooded garment according to claim 5, wherein the fastener means includes at least one button on a first side of the back opening, at least one slot corresponding to the at least one button being formed on the second side of the back opening, the first side of the back opening being attachable to the second side of the back opening by inserting the at least one button into the at least one slot.

7. The hooded garment according to claim 6, wherein the back portion on the second side of the back opening includes a protective strip covering the at least one button when the first side of the back opening is attached to the second side of the back opening.

8. The hooded garment according to claim 5, wherein the back portion includes a tail portion on a first side of the back opening.

9. The hooded garment according to claim 8, wherein the elastic member is located on the first side of the back opening between the tail portion and the fastener means, and the elastic member is generally horizontal when the user is standing up.

10. A method for putting on a hooded garment, the method comprising:

inserting one's head through a first opening in the hooded garment, with a hood being in front of the head when the head is in the first opening;

pulling a hood of the hooded garment over one's head with the head entering the hood through the first opening, such that a face opening in the hooded garment is aligned with a user's face; and

closing the first opening.

11. The method according to claim 10, the method further comprising positioning at least a portion of the user's loose hair in a pocket in the hood.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein positioning at least a portion of the user's loose hair in a pocket comprises applying an elastic portion under one's loose hair accommodated in the pocket.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein closing the opening comprises inserting at least one button located on a first side of the first opening into at least one corresponding slot located on a second side of the first opening.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein closing the opening comprises unfolding a protective strip over the at least one button after inserting the at least one button in the corresponding slot.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising inserting one's arms through arm openings of the hooded garment.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising placing a tail portion of the hood against the user's body through the first opening prior to closing the first opening.