HEAD GARMENT WITH REMOVABLE AND INFLATABLE INSERT
A head garment that can be inflated for use in resting or sleeping. The head garment includes a head covering, an opening, an inner layer and an outer layer. An interior space is formed in-between the inner layer and the outer layer. The head garment includes an elongated aperture sized to receive an inflatable insert. The inflatable insert includes a valve. The head garment also includes a second aperture sized to receive a stem of the valve. When the inflatable insert is in an inflated state, it substantially fills the entire interior space of the head garment.
The invention generally relates to a clothing element, and more particularly, to a head garment with a removable and inflatable insert.
BACKGROUNDHead garments are conventionally worn to protect the wearers from weather elements, such as cold, sun, wind, etc. The head garments can be integrated as hoods in clothing elements such as sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, etc. The wearers of these clothing elements are often travelers and outdoors enthusiasts. While traveling and being outdoors, these wearers may need some cushioned support for their head, not just at the neck, for example, while resting on a plane, a train, or a car, without having to carry an extra head support or a pillow.
It is therefore desirable to provide a head garment with a removable and inflatable insert that can be integrated with a clothing element and that provides advantages heretofore unknown in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONProvided herein are embodiments of a head garment that can be inflated for use in resting or sleeping. In some embodiments, the head garment includes an inner layer and an outer layer, each having a front seam, and a neck seam. The inner layer and the outer layer are coupled to form an inner space, or chamber, therein. In some embodiments, the inner layer of the head garment includes a first vertical elongated aperture positioned substantially in the center of the inner layer. The first vertical elongated aperture is sized for receiving an inflatable insert, or bladder. The inflatable insert includes an air valve having a stem for inflating and deflating the inflatable insert. The inner layer includes a second annular aperture positioned in proximity of the neck seam. The second annular aperture is sized for receiving the stem of the air valve extending through the second annular aperture when the inflatable insert is positioned within the inner chamber. The inflatable insert includes two or more first attachment features, for example, Velcro patches. The inner layer includes two or more second attachment features, for example, corresponding Velcro patches, for attaching to the two or more first attachment features, the two or more second attachment features are positioned for removably attaching the inflatable insert to the head garment.
When the inflatable insert is fully inserted, or positioned, in the inner chamber, and is in an inflated state, it substantially fills the entire interior space, or inner chamber, of the head garment.
In some embodiments, the head garment includes an element coupled to the front edge of the inner layer. The coupling includes, or creates, a vertical elongated aperture positioned in proximity of the second annular aperture, such that the vertical elongated aperture provides access to the air valve which extends through the second annular aperture.
In some embodiments, the head garment includes another element coupled to the front edge of the inner layer. The coupling includes, or creates, a diagonal elongated aperture positioned in proximity of the second annular aperture, such that the diagonal elongated aperture provides access to the air valve which extends through the second annular aperture.
In some embodiments, the inflatable insert has a shape substantially of a half circle, and is fabricated with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
In some other embodiments, the head garment includes an inner layer and an outer layer, each having a front seam, and a neck seam. The inner layer and the outer layer are coupled to form an inner space, or chamber, therein. The inner layer includes an horizontal elongated aperture positioned in proximity of the top and the center of the inner layer. The horizontal elongated aperture is sized for receiving an inflatable insert, or bladder. The inflatable insert includes an air valve having a stem for inflating and deflating the inflatable insert. The inner layer includes a second annular aperture positioned in proximity of the neck seam. The second annular aperture is sized for receiving the stem of the air valve extending through the second annular aperture when the inflatable insert is positioned within the inner chamber.
Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawing(s):
The below described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated. All features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment unless otherwise stated. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the present invention and its method of use.
In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” or “includes” means “including, but not limited to,” or “includes, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.
As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entities listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like.
The inflatable insert 500 may be fabricated with a durable material, for example, vinyl, plastic, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, TPU may be used because of its light weight and malleable characteristics. TPU having consistency of approximately 0.10 to 0.15 may be used in some embodiments. The valve 510 may be fabricated with a durable material, for example, plastic or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the valve 510 may be a two-way valve (which can be used to inflate and deflate the insert 500) known in the art of inflatable products. In other embodiments, a one-way pump known in the art may be used.
In some embodiments, the edge 118 of the left side 114 and the edge 118′ of right side 115 may be coupled to the front layer element 125 at, or in the proximity of, the rear edge 127 of the front element 125. As will be described herein in more detail, in some embodiments, the coupling of the front layer element 125 to the right side 115 may include, or create, an elongated aperture 128, providing access to an annular aperture 119 positioned in the right side 115. The front edge 126 of the front layer element 125 may be coupled to the front edge 121 of the outer layer 120, forming the front seam 130.
In some other embodiments, also illustrated in
In some embodiments, front edge 226 of the pocket element 225 may be coupled, for example, sewn, to the front edge 218′ of the right side 215. The bottom edge 227 of the pocket element 225 may be coupled to the bottom edge 231 of the right side 215. As a result, a triangular pocket 229 is formed, having the opening at the edge 228. The pocket 229 provides access to an annular aperture 219 positioned in the right side 215.
The elongated aperture 312 includes a top flap 370, and a bottom flap 372. The bottom flap 372 includes an attachment feature 360, for example, a first Velcro patch. The top flap 370 includes an attachment feature 361, for example, a second Velcro patch, that will attach to the attachment 360 when the aperture 312 is in a closed position, as illustrated in
In at least some exemplary modes of operation, the head garment 100, 200, or 300 may be worn as a hood, for example, of a sweat shirt, a sweater, or a jacket. The wearer may cover his or her head with the head garment 100, 200, or 300. The wearer may access the valve stem 512 while the head garment 100, 200, or 300 is either covering, or not covering his or her head. The wearer may inflate the inflatable insert 500 by blowing or pumping air into the valve stem 512. In the embodiments where a pump may be integrated with the inflatable insert 500, the wearer may use the pump to inflate the inflatable insert. In the inflated state, the head garment 100, 200, or 300 may be used as a pillow, a headrest, or a head support, for example, for resting or sleeping while traveling on a plane, a train, a car, or the like, as illustrated in
It is noted that when the inflatable insert 500 is in the inflated state, and substantially filling the entire interior space 150, 250, or 350 of the head garment 100, 200, or 300, the head garment 100, 200, or 300 provides a head support that may cover the back and both sides of the head of the wearer.
In some other exemplary modes of operation, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the insert 500 may be a layer of memory foam. In these embodiments, the insert 500 does not include a valve.
The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.
The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
Changes from the described subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.
The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims, if any, and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.
Claims
1. A head garment comprising:
- an inflatable insert comprising a valve and two or more first attachment features;
- an inner layer and an outer layer;
- an interior space formed in-between the inner layer and the outer layer;
- a first vertical elongated aperture positioned in proximity to the center of the inner layer, wherein the first vertical elongated aperture is sized to receive the inflatable insert;
- a second annular aperture positioned in proximity to a neck seam of the inner layer, wherein the second annular aperture is sized to receive a stem of the valve; and
- two or more second attachment features for attaching to the two or more first attachment features, the two or more second attachment features positioned for removably attaching the inflatable insert to the head garment.
2. The head garment of claim 1 further comprising an element coupled to the inner layer.
3. The head garment of claim 2, wherein the element is coupled to at least the front edge of the inner layer.
4. The head garment of claim 3, wherein the coupling comprises a vertical elongated aperture positioned in proximity of the second annular aperture.
5. The head garment of claim 3, wherein the coupling comprises a diagonal elongated aperture positioned in proximity of the second annular aperture.
6. The head garment of claim 1, wherein the inflatable insert, in an inflated state, fills substantially the entire interior space.
7. The head garment of claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment features are Velcro.
8. The head garment of claim 1, wherein the inflatable insert is fabricated with thermoplastic polyurethane having consistency of approximately 0.10 to 0.15.
9. The head garment of claim 1, wherein the inflatable insert has a shape substantially of a half circle.
10. A head garment comprising:
- an inflatable insert comprising a valve and two or more first attachment features;
- an inner layer and an outer layer;
- an interior space formed in-between the inner layer and the outer layer;
- a first horizontal elongated aperture positioned in proximity to the top and the center of the inner layer, wherein the first horizontal elongated aperture is sized to receive the inflatable insert;
- a second annular aperture positioned in proximity to a neck seam of the inner layer, wherein the second annular aperture is sized to receive a stem of the valve; and
- two or more second attachment features for attaching to the two or more first attachment features, the two or more second attachment features positioned for removably attaching the inflatable insert to the head garment.
11. The head garment of claim 10, wherein the inflatable insert, in an inflated state, fills substantially the entire interior space.
12. The head garment of claim 10, wherein the first and second attachment features are Velcro.
13. The head garment of claim 10, wherein the inflatable insert is fabricated with thermoplastic polyurethane having consistency of approximately 0.10 to 0.15.
14. The head garment of claim 10, wherein the inflatable insert has a shape substantially of a half circle.
15. A head garment comprising:
- an inflatable insert comprising a valve and two or more first Velcro attachment features;
- an inner layer and an outer layer;
- an interior space formed in-between the inner layer and the outer layer;
- a first vertical elongated aperture positioned in proximity to the center of the inner layer, wherein the first vertical elongated aperture is sized to receive the inflatable insert;
- a second annular aperture positioned in proximity to a neck seam of the inner layer, wherein the second annular aperture is sized to receive a stem of the valve;
- two or more second Velcro attachment features for attaching to the two or more first Velcro attachment features, the two or more second attachment features positioned for removably attaching the inflatable insert to the head garment; and
- an element coupled to the inner layer, the coupling comprising an elongated aperture positioned in proximity of the second annular aperture.
16. The head garment of claim 15, wherein the inflatable insert, in an inflated state, fills substantially the entire interior space.
17. The head garment of claim 10, wherein the inflatable insert is fabricated with thermoplastic polyurethane having consistency of approximately 0.10 to 0.15.
18. The head garment of claim 10, wherein the inflatable insert has a shape substantially of a half circle.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 18, 2016
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2017
Inventor: Joshua Michael Metzger Woodle (Los Angeles, CA)
Application Number: 15/074,387