NECK AND SHOULDER PROTECTIVE GARMENT

Abstract

A neck and shoulder protective garment that functions to protect the skin while utilizing a heated grooming device such as a curling iron. A neck protection section is attached to a shoulder protection section. A connection section is attached to the neck protection section and functions to secure the protective garment around the user's neck. In a preferred embodiment the connection section is a Velcro® hook and loop fastening device. Also, in a preferred embodiment the protective garment is fabricated from flexible, fire retardant and fire resistant material.

Description

The present invention relates to protective garments, and in particular, to protective garments to be worn while handling heated grooming devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is very common for people to spend time and expense to improve their appearance and a major area of focus is their hair. From the time a child is born and up through old age, hair is cleaned, cut and styled. Many people, and in particular females, like to curl their hair. The appliance that is commonly used to curl hair is a hand held curling iron. A woman who uses a curling iron may use it almost every day. Still, even for skilled users, the curling iron can be dangerous. A major concern for the curling iron is that it can cause a painful burn that can even scar if the curling iron touches the skin of the user. The most common areas that are susceptible to burn by a curling iron are the neck and shoulders of the user. There are some prior art devices that purport to minimize the risk of burn, but these devices are cumbersome and unsightly. Therefore, most women do not use these devices.

What is needed is a better device for protecting the user's neck and shoulders while using a hot hair grooming device, such as a curling iron.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a neck and shoulder protective garment that functions to protect the skin while utilizing a heated grooming device such as a curling iron. A neck protection section is attached to a shoulder protection section. A connection section is attached to the neck protection section and functions to secure the protective garment around the user's neck. In a preferred embodiment the connection section is a Velcro® hook and loop fastening device. Also, in a preferred embodiment the protective garment is fabricated from flexible, fire retardant and fire resistant material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 show a user donning a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred neck protection section.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred shoulder protection section.

FIG. 5 shows a neck protection section sewn to a shoulder protection section.

FIG. 6 shows another preferred neck protection section.

FIGS. 7-8 show a user donning another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Protective garment 1 thoroughly covers and protects the user's neck and shoulders. Additionally, it has a sleek and attractive appearance. Therefore, people will want to wear it while using a hot grooming instrument such as a curling iron.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the major components of protective garment 1. FIG. 3 shows neck protection section 5. Stretchable fabric 2 is sewn to bottom trim 3. Velcro® hook section 4 is sewn to the left side of neck section 5 and is facing up. Velcro® loop section 6 is shown in dotted line and is sewn to the right side of neck section 5 and is facing downward. FIG. 4 shows shoulder protection section 10. When connected hook section 4 and loop section 6 form hook and loop connection section 7 (FIG. 1). Hook and loop connection section 7 securely attaches protective garment 1 to the user.

To form protective garment 1, neck protection section 5 is sewn to shoulder protection section 10 along threaded connection 15 as shown in FIG. 5.

Neck protection section 5 and shoulder protection section 10 may be made of any color fabric. Preferably both neck protection section 5 and shoulder protection section 10 are stretchable and resistant to heat and fire. In one preferred embodiment protective garment 1 is fabricated from cotton and cotton blends, preferably knitted and/or elasticized. In other preferred embodiments protective garment 1 is fabricated from Nomex® and/or Kevlar® and/or other fire retardant and fire resistant materials.

To use protective garment 1, the user dons the garment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Neck protection section 5 preferably completely wraps around and covers the neck. Preferably neck section 5 includes stretchable fabric 2, as explained above. Neck section 5 fits snuggly on the user and is held in place by friction force between the user's neck and stretchable fabric 2. Shoulder protection section 10 drapes over the user's shoulders as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be noted that because protective garment 1 is preferably fabricated from flexible fabric, it is therefore capable of comfortably fitting women of a variety of sizes. For example, a very small petite woman can don protective garment 1 as well as a very large woman.

FIG. 6 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Neck protection section 5 includes upper ribbon section 20 sewn to the top of neck protection section 5. Ribbon section 20 is preferably fabricated from light weight, comfortable flame resistant cotton. Preferably, ribbon section 20 includes rear neck ribbon free section 21. Ribbon section 20 increases the comfort level of protective garment 1.

For example, FIG. 7 shows a user donning protective garment 1 with ribbon section 20. Ribbon section 20 abuts the user's chin and is much more comfortable for the user. FIG. 8 shows a rear view of protective garment 1 and ribbon section 20. Ribbon free section 21 is shown. Ribbon free section 21 provides an area for hair to freely flow and it also allows the user to move her head backwards without significantly disturbing the rest of ribbon section 20.

Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, even though it was stated that in a preferred embodiment protective garment 1 is stretchable so that it can fit a variety of user's, it should also be noted that protective garment 1 can be fabricated in a variety of sizes to fit different sized users. A small protective garment 1 can be fabricated to fit a small, petite woman or an large protective garment can be made to fit a large woman. Also, even though the above examples discuss using the protective garment for women, it should be understood that some men like to use hair curling irons and the men can also use protective garment 1 for protection. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A neck and shoulder protective garment to protect the skin while utilizing a heated grooming device, comprising:

A) a neck protection section,

B) a shoulder protection section attached to said neck protection section, and

C) a connection section attached to said neck protection section, said connection section for securing said protective garment around the user's neck.

2) The neck and shoulder protective garment as in claim 1, further comprising a ribbon section attached to said neck protection section, wherein said ribbon section abuts the user's chin to provide increased comfort to the user.

3) The neck and shoulder protection garment as in claim 2, wherein said ribbon section comprises a ribbon free section for improved comfort, hair access and neck movement.

4) The neck and shoulder protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said protective garment is fabricated from stretchable fabric.

5) The neck and shoulder protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said protective garment is held in place by friction force between said neck protection section and the user's neck.

6) The neck and shoulder protection system as in claim 1, wherein said connection section is a hook and loop fastening device.

7) The neck and shoulder protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said protective garment is fabricated from fire resistant material.

8) The neck and shoulder protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said protective garment is fabricated from fire retardant material.

9) The neck and shoulder protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said heated grooming device is a curling iron.