INSTA HOOD

Abstract

Insta-Hood is a hood that can be worn on any shirt, jacket or other suitable garment. The invention is a removable hood that is held in place by a non-permanent, reusable attachment means. The design can be constructed from any desired garment material. There may be an additional inch of fabric around the bottom perimeter of the hood, and a series of fasteners on this fabric. A user can remove the hood as desired, and may reuse it any number of times. A person can also easily switch between different hoods to change the look of a garment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. Nos. 61/825,381; 61/825,390; 61/825,394 all filed May 20, 2013 which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of hoods and garments and more specifically relates to an insta-hood system.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Many people in modern society wear garments for warmth and for fashion. These garments, besides being aesthetically pleasing provide protection from environmental elements. People often wear garments (such as shirts, sweaters, or jackets) without hoods because they do not anticipate poor weather, or do not anticipate they will be outside for extended periods. This decision can often lead to getting rained on, sunburned, chilled by gusts of wind, and more. Yet, wearing a hooded garment all the time can be unnecessarily cumbersome. Also many people would like to wear a hood as a style statement or as a logo for their favorite team or organization without having to purchase an entire garment. A garment is desirable that would allow removable attachment (coupling) of a hood to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. and Pub. Nos. 2,129,454; 2,002,955; 7,779,485; 2006/0143795; 5,274,850; and 5,717,999. This art is representative of hoods and garments and head-covering means. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Ideally, an insta-hood should provide convenience in-use and comfort and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable insta-hood system to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known hoods and garments and head-covering means art, the present invention provides a novel insta-hood. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently, in greater detail, is to provide a user-friendly insta-hood to provide warmth and protection from environmental elements when worn and yet be removably coupable as desired.

An insta-hood system is disclosed herein in a first embodiment comprising: a hood that can be worn on virtually any shirt, jacket or other suitable garment. The invention can comprise a removable hood that is held in place by a non-permanent, reusable attachment means. The design can be constructed from virtually any desired garment material. There may be an additional inch of fabric around the bottom perimeter of the hood, and a series of clasps on this fabric in certain embodiments. The additional fabric can be V-shape, and the neckline of a garment can fit between the two halves. The clasps can be used to secure the device to the neckline of an article of clothing. A user can remove the hood as desired, and may reuse it any number of times repeatedly. A person can also easily switch between different hoods to change the look of a garment. The design can come in virtually any desired style and color.

A second embodiment features a hood that can be effortlessly removed and reattached to any suitable garment. The present invention lets a person conveniently keep a hood accessible without it always being attached to an article of clothing; enables a person to wear the same garment with or without a hood; and protects a person's head (and neck) from wind, precipitation and the sun's rays (when coupled and worn).

Insta-Hood Magnetic Version (second embodiment) is a detachable hood that can connect to the neckline of virtually any garment. The invention can compromise a removable hood that is held in place on a garment by means of magnets embedded in the hood. The design can be constructed from any suitable garment material. There may be an additional inch of fabric around the bottom perimeter of the hood, and a set of magnets lining this fabric. The additional fabric can be V-shape, and the neckline of a garment can fit between the two halves. The magnets can connect through the fabric, thereby securing the hood to the article of clothing until the user removes it. The design can come in various sizes, colors and styles.

A third embodiment creates a replacement or alternative hood for garments with removable zipper hoods which features optional garments with zippered necklines that can be used with the hood. Insta-Hood ‘zipper version’ in this particular embodiment is a detachable zipper hood that can attach to virtually any coat (jacket) or other garment (shirt or the like) with a removable zipper hood. The invention can comprise a hood with half of a zipper on the neckline that can be used as a replacement or alternate style option for any garment with a zippered neckline. The design can be constructed from any desired suitable garment material. There may be an additional inch of fabric around the bottom perimeter of the hood, and a set of zipper teeth lining this fabric. The other set of zipper teeth can line the neck of the garment. There can be garments designed specifically to work with the hood, thereby extending the options for its use. The design can come in all clothing sizes.

An insta-hood system of the third embodiment comprises: an insta-hood assembly comprising a removably coupleable hood (having, an inner surface providing an inner volume as formed to sit upon a user-wearer's head, an outer surface, a front-edge, and a bottom-edge with a channel), and at least one fastener; wherein the insta-hood system comprises the insta-hood assembly and in turn the insta-hood assembly comprises the removably coupleable hood and the at least one fastener.

The parameters of the removably coupleable hood are defined by the inner surface, the outer surface, the front-edge, the bottom-edge. The at least one fastener is affixed to the bottom-edge slightly towards the inner surface (but yet adjacent the bottom-edge) and on the garment (top edge); that at least one fastener is useful to removably attach the insta-hood assembly to a garment, a top of the garment fitting in the channel (zipper may be located in channel to hide from view), the channel resting atop the top of the garment when coupled. In this way the insta-hood assembly may be coupled to the garment as per a desire of a garment-wearer.

The channel is preferably flexible and may comprise a V-shape, a U-shape or the like. As mentioned the at least one fastener in this particular embodiment comprises a zipper-fastener assembly; wherein the zipper-fastener assembly comprises a plurality of interlocking teeth, a slider, a pull tab, a bottom-stop and a retainer box. The bottom-stop and the retainer box are preferably located on the removably coupleable hood. The plurality of interlocking teeth are located on the insta-hood assembly and the garment for matable coupling thereof via the slider as moved by the pull tab.

As such, the removably coupleable hood comprises a head, and neck covering means, the garment comprising a body covering means. The inner surface is separated a thickness from the outer surface; the thickness in combination with the inner surface and the outer surface providing an insulation to protect the garment-wearer from ambient environmental elements when the insta-hood assembly is coupled in functional combination with the garment. The other alternate embodiments are also disclosed in more detail subsequently.

A method of use for the present invention and a kit are also disclosed herein.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an insta-hood system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, insta-hood system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an insta-hood assembly of an insta-hood system as attached to a garment in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the insta-hood assembly comprising a removably attachable hood with fasteners comprising clips or clasps that is able to be coupled to the garment according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the insta-hood assembly with reusable magnets provided as a fastening means according to a second embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the insta-hood assembly with a zipper-fastener assembly being provided as an alternate fastening means according to a third embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the insta-hood system according to embodiments of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to hoods and garments and more particularly to an insta-hood system as used to improve the flexibility of use of garments.

Generally speaking insta-hood system comprises insta-hood assembly with removably coupleable hood having fastening means for use by garment wearers; garments and removably coupleable hood materials may include wool, silk, cotton, rayon and other suitable fabrics. The top edge of the garment may be a straight, horizontal line where the removably coupleable hood is attachable thereto. The bottom-edge of the hood may be split into a V shape that extends the length of the hood by about 1″. Certain embodiments may utilize a series of clasps on the bottom edge of the hood that secure the hood to the top edge of the garment. Other embodiments may use other suitable fastening means such as clips, clamps, magnets, zipping means, hook and loop fastening means or the like.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating insta-hood assembly 110 of insta-hood system 100 as attached to a garment 160 in an in-use condition 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Insta-Hood 102 comprises a hood that can be worn on virtually any garment 160 (shirt, jacket, sweater or the like). The present invention can comprise removably coupleable hood 120 that is held in place by a non-permanent, reusable attachment means (clips, clasps, hook and loop or the like—generally referred to as removably attachable means 130). Garment 160 may be constructed from any desired garment material. There may be an additional inch of fabric around the bottom perimeter (bottom-edge 124) of removably coupleable hood 120, and a series of clasps 134 on this fabric in certain embodiments. Clasps 134 can be used to secure the device to neckline 162 of an article of clothing (garment 160). A user can remove removably coupleable hood 120 as desired, and may reuse it any number of times, repeatedly. A person can also easily switch between different removably coupleable hoods 120 to change the look of garment 160. The design can come in any desired style and color.

Insta-hood system 100 comprises: insta-hood assembly 110 comprising removably coupleable hood 120 (having inner surface 121, outer surface 122, front-edge 123, and bottom-edge 124 with channel 126), and at least one fastener 132 (removably attachable means 130). Insta-hood system 100 comprises the insta-hood assembly 110, as mentioned; wherein insta-hood assembly 110 comprises removably coupleable hood 120 and the at least one fastener 132 in functional connection to each other.

The parameters of removably coupleable hood 120 are defined by inner surface 121, outer surface 122, front-edge 123, and bottom-edge 124; bottom-edge 124 being split so as to form and define channel 126. In this particular embodiment at least one fastener 132 is affixed to inner surface 121 adjacent bottom-edge 124. At least one fastener 132 is functionally useful to removably attach insta-hood assembly 110 to garment 160, a top of garment 160 fitting in channel 126; channel 126 resting atop the top of garment 160 when coupled; insta-hood assembly 110 coupled to garment 160 as per a desire of a garment-wearer, as shown. In preferred embodiments channel 126 is flexible; however in certain embodiments channel 126 may be semi-rigid.

Inner surface 121 is separated a thickness 128 from outer surface 122, the thickness 128 in combination with inner surface 121 and outer surface 122 providing an insulation to protect the garment-wearer from ambient environmental elements when insta-hood assembly 110 is coupled in functional combination with garment 160. As such, removably coupleable hood 120 comprises a head, and neck covering means; garment 160 comprising a body covering means.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view illustrating insta-hood assembly 110 comprising removably coupleable hood 120 with fasteners 132 comprising clips 134 or clasps 136 that is able to be coupled to garment 160 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Insta-hood system 100 may comprise the at least one fastener 132 to provide removably attachable means 130 comprising clips 134 or clasps 136. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other fastening arrangements such as, for example, clamps, buttons, snaps, hook and loop, etc., may be sufficient. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of fastening means as described herein, methods of fastening and unfastening using various fasteners will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art.

Garment 160 may comprise jacket 164 or shirt 166. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other garments such as, for example, sweaters, non-jackets, pull-overs, etc., may be sufficient. As such, garment 160 is (at least) selected from the group consisting of shirt 166, jacket 164, and sweater. In a similar manner is should be appreciated that the at least one fastener 132 is selected from the group consisting of magnets 138, clips 134, clasps 136, and zipper-fastener assemblies 140.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view illustrating insta-hood assembly 110 with reusable magnets 138 provided as fastening means (removably attachable means 130) according to a second embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

A second embodiment features removably coupleable hood 120 that can be effortlessly removed and reattached to virtually any garment 160. The present invention lets a person conveniently keep a hood (head and neck covering means) accessible without it always being attached to an article of clothing (garment 160); enables a person to wear the same garment 160 with or without a hood (head and neck covering means); and protects a person's head from wind, precipitation and the sun's rays (when coupled and worn).

Insta-Hood Magnetic version (second embodiment) shown in FIG. 3 is a detachable hood (removably coupleable hood 120) that can connect to the neckline of virtually any garment 160. The invention can comprise removably coupleable hood 120 that is held in place on garment 160 by means of embedded magnets 138. The design can be constructed from any suitable garment material. There may be an additional inch of fabric around the bottom perimeter of Insta-Hood 102, and a set of magnets 138 lining this fabric. The additional fabric can be V-shape, and the neckline of garment 160 can fit between the two halves. Magnets 138 can connect through the fabric, thereby securing removably coupleable hood 120 to the article of clothing (garment 160) until the user removes it. The design can come in various sizes, colors and styles. In this particular embodiment at least one fastener 132 comprises a plurality of first-magnets 137 and a plurality of second-magnets 139; wherein first-magnets 137 are removably attachable to second-magnets 139 to temporarily couple insta-hood assembly 110 to garment 160.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view illustrating insta-hood assembly 110 with zipper-fastener assembly 140 being provided as an alternate fastening means (removably attachable means 130) according to a third embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

A third embodiment creates a replacement or alternative hood for garment 160 with removable zipper hoods which features optional garments with zippered necklines that can be used with removably coupleable hood 120. Insta-Hood Zipper version in this particular embodiment is a detachable zipper hood that can attach to any coat (jacket 164) or other garment with a removable zipper hood. The invention can comprise removably coupleable hood 120 with half of a zipper (first zipper-portion 142) on neckline 162 that can be used as a replacement or alternate style option for any garment 160 with a zippered neckline 162. The design can be constructed from any desired suitable garment material. There may be an additional inch of fabric around the bottom perimeter (bottom-edge 124) of removably coupleable hood 120, and a set of zipper teeth (second zipper-portion 144) lining (running adjacent on) this fabric. The other set of zipper teeth (first zipper-portion 142) can line the neck of garment 160. There can be garments designed specifically to work with the hood, thereby extending the options for its use. The design can come in all clothing sizes.

In this particular embodiment at least one fastener 132 comprises a zipper-fastener assembly 140 comprising a plurality of interlocking teeth (comprising first zipper-portion 142 and second zipper-portion 144), slider 146 pull tab 148, and bottom-stop 149. Bottom-stop 149 is preferably located on removably coupleable hood 120. This particular embodiment further preferably comprises retainer box 147; wherein retainer box 147 is preferably also located on removably coupleable hood 120. Other fastener and combinations thereof may be used and locations may be switched as desired and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Insta-hood system 100 may be sold as kit 440 comprising the following parts: at least one insta-hood assembly 110 at least one garment 160; at least one removably attachable means 130; (magnets, clasps, clamps, clips, zippers or other suitable fastening means and extra replacement fasteners); and at least one set of user instructions. Insta-hood system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different garment/hood/fastening combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5, flowchart 550 illustrating a method of use 500 for the insta-hood system 100 according to embodiments of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

Method of use 500 may comprise the steps of: step one 501 installing removably coupleable hood 120 onto garment 160; step two 502 donning insta-hood assembly 110 for protection from environmental elements or for fashion; step three 503 removing removably coupleable hood 120 from garment 160 when desired.

It should be noted that step 502 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases, as in cases where garment 160 is worn. Optional steps of method 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 500.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. An insta-hood system comprising:

an insta-hood assembly comprising; a removably coupleable hood having; an inner surface; an outer surface; a front-edge; and a bottom-edge with a channel; and at least one fastener;

wherein said insta-hood system comprises said insta-hood assembly;

wherein said insta-hood assembly comprises said removably coupleable hood and said at least one fastener;

wherein parameters of said removably coupleable hood are defined by said inner surface, said outer surface, said front-edge, said bottom-edge;

wherein said at least one fastener is affixed to said inner surface adjacent said bottom-edge;

wherein said at least one fastener is useful to removably attach said insta-hood assembly to a garment, a top of said garment fitting in said channel, said channel resting atop said top of said garment when coupled, said insta-hood assembly coupled to said garment as per a desire of a garment-wearer; and

wherein said inner surface is separated a thickness from said outer surface, said thickness in combination with said inner surface and said outer surface providing an insulation to protect said garment-wearer from ambient environmental elements when said insta-hood assembly is coupled in functional combination with said garment.

2. The insta-hood system of claim 1 wherein said at least one fastener comprises a plurality of first-magnets.

3. The insta-hood system of claim 2 wherein said garment comprises a plurality of second-magnets.

4. The insta-hood system of claim 3 wherein said first-magnets are removably attachable to said second-magnets to temporarily couple said insta-hood assembly to said garment.

5. The insta-hood system of claim 4 wherein said removably coupleable hood comprises a head, and neck covering means, said garment comprising a body covering means.

6. The insta-hood system of claim 3 wherein said channel is flexible.

7. The insta-hood system of claim 1 wherein said at least one fastener comprises clips.

8. The insta-hood system of claim 1 wherein said at least one fastener comprises clasps.

9. The insta-hood system of claim 1 wherein said at least one fastener comprises a zipper-fastener assembly.

10. The insta-hood system of claim 9 wherein said zipper-fastener assembly comprises a plurality of interlocking teeth, a slider and a pull tab.

11. The insta-hood system of claim 10 further comprising a bottom-stop.

12. The insta-hood system of claim 11 wherein said bottom-stop is located on said removably coupleable hood.

13. The insta-hood system of claim 12 further comprising a retainer box.

14. The insta-hood system of claim 13 wherein said retainer box is located on said removably coupleable hood.

15. The insta-hood system of claim 1 wherein said garment comprises a jacket.

16. The insta-hood system of claim 1 wherein said garment comprises a shirt.

17. The insta-hood system of claim 1 wherein said garment is selected from the group consisting of shirt, jacket, and sweater.

18. The insta-hood system of claim 1 wherein said at least one fastener is selected from the group consisting of magnets, clips, clasps, and zipper-fastener assemblies.

19. An insta-hood system comprising:

an insta-hood assembly comprising; a removably coupleable hood having; an inner surface; an outer surface; a front-edge; and a bottom-edge with a channel; and at least one fastener;

wherein said insta-hood system comprises said insta-hood assembly;

wherein said insta-hood assembly comprises said removably coupleable hood and said at least one fastener;

wherein parameters of said removably coupleable hood are defined by said inner surface, said outer surface, said front-edge, said bottom-edge;

wherein said at least one fastener is affixed to said inner surface adjacent said bottom-edge;

wherein said at least one fastener is useful to removably attach said insta-hood assembly to a garment, a top of said garment fitting in said channel, said channel resting atop said top of said garment when coupled, said insta-hood assembly coupled to said garment as per a desire of a garment-wearer;

wherein said channel is flexible;

wherein said at least one fastener comprises a zipper-fastener assembly;

wherein said zipper-fastener assembly comprises a plurality of interlocking teeth, a slider, a pull tab, a bottom-stop and a retainer box;

wherein said bottom-stop and said retainer box are located on said removably coupleable hood;

wherein said plurality of interlocking teeth are located on said insta-hood assembly and said garment for matable coupling thereof via said slider as moved by said pull tab;

wherein said removably coupleable hood comprises a head, and neck covering means, said garment comprising a body covering means; and

wherein said inner surface is separated a thickness from said outer surface, said thickness in combination with said inner surface and said outer surface providing an insulation to protect said garment-wearer from ambient environmental elements when said insta-hood assembly is coupled in functional combination with said garment.

20. The insta-hood system of claim 19 further comprising a kit, said kit including said garment, said insta-hood assembly, and a set of user instructions.