A WEARABLE DEVICE

Abstract

A wearable device that has an elongate first portion and a cover portion connected to the first portion. The first portion comprises a bi-stable core arranged longitudinally at least partially therethrough and the wearable device has a first stable state in which the bi-stable core is coiled and a second stable state.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device having a compact state and an expanded state, that may be worn by a user on least their head or face, which may be particularly useful for the protection of a person's hair, for example against adverse weather.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

People often take pride in their appearance and like to have neat hair. To that end, people can spend a considerable amount of time and money on their haircut and/or styling and, thereafter, they are keen to retain their hair neat for as long as possible, which can be tricky in certain environments, particularly where the person lives in a location that is susceptible to heavy rainfall and/or strong winds.

Whilst an umbrella might be used to provide protection from the weather, umbrellas are cumbersome and are normally large and heavy, thereby making them difficult to carry around, especially when there is a low risk of rain. Furthermore, someone might need both hands available for carrying shopping and opening doors or they might be attending an event, function or party where carrying an umbrella would be an inconvenience. Therefore, a person will usually not bother to carry an umbrella, which can result in them being caught out in sudden rainfall, wind or a combination of both. Rain bonnets have previously been employed; however, they require a tying underneath the user's chin, which can be uncomfortable and need to be tied to ensure a tight fit, during which the hair style would be compressed and destroyed, thereby negating any protection of the hair style.

Similarly, a sun hat is particularly useful for beaches but can be cumbersome to carry.

With the recent increase in the wearing of face masks it is also inconvenient to be without a mask in a public space where a mask may be required. Additionally, storing a used mask that may have droplets of bodily fluid thereupon in a pocket may lead to cross-contamination of other items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a wearable device comprising:

• • an elongate first portion; and
  • a cover portion connected to the first portion;

wherein the first portion comprises a bi-stable core arranged longitudinally at least partially therethrough so that the wearable device has:

• • a first stable state in which the bi-stable core is coiled; and
  • a second stable state.

Thus, the present invention incorporates a first portion, which may be a collar portion, having a first stable position and that also has a second stable position. This allows the device to provide a cover portion for a user, wherein the device has a stable, deployed position, in which the cover can be placed over, or on, a user, for example, on their head, and a stable, storage position, in which the device is more compact and can be stored more conveniently. The stable position, the first stable state, is a state in which the core is in a rest, or coiled, position, wherein it does not deform without a force acting thereupon. Such bi-stable cores have previously been used in “slap bracelets” or “snap bands” that have a first stable state in which they are coiled, and a second stable state in which they can be straightened. When in the second stable state, impacting the bi-stable core can cause it to change state to its coiled, first stable state.

The core has a natural tendency to bias towards one of its stable states, for example, into its coiled state when it is in the first stable. Similarly, when in the second stable state, the core has a tendency to resist deformation. Thus, the device can adopt a first position, or a second position and it stays in the respective position until a force is provided to change the position. If the force is insufficient to change the core from the first stable position to the second stable position, it is biased to return to the first stable position. Similarly, the first portion, or collar, can be biased to the second stable position until sufficient force is applied to move the core to the first stable position. The cover portion could be a head cover, for example a hat, or it may be a head band or face covering. In one embodiment, the cover portion may be a poncho, a lightweight raincoat or a shopping bag.

The wearable device may have a stowed state and a deployed state. In the stowed state, which may be when the core is in its first stable state, the cover portion is stowed in a more compact state. In the deployed state, the device can be worn or used as appropriate.

The first portion is elongate, and the bi-stable core runs at least partially longitudinally therethrough, for at least part of its length. Providing an elongate member for the first, or collar, portion provides a convenient shape to the device and the bi-stable core can be readily moved between the first and second stable states. The core may be removable to allow the device to be cleaned and/or the cover portion may be detachable from the first portion.

It is preferable that the first portion has a retaining recess into which the cover portion can be stowed when in the first stable state. By providing a retaining recess, or pocket, the cover portion can be conveniently stowed away when not in use. This not only allows for compact storage, but if the retaining recess is manufactured from a waterproof material, any water on the cover portion when stowed can be kept in the retaining recess to avoid making clothing or other items wet. The cover portion can be deployed later on to dry it at a convenient time and location.

In an alternative arrangement, the cover portion may be wrapped around the first portion to conveniently stow it. In such an arrangement, it may be desirable to provide a fixing element, which could be in the form of hook-and-eye fastener, a push-fit connector, such as a ‘popper’, or a button. This fastener can be used to reduce the risk of the cover portion unwrapping from the stowed position. The cover portion may be wrapped around the core before the core is moved from the second stable state to the first stable state, so that the cover portion coils with the core portion.

Advantageously, when in the second stable state, the cover portion is, or can be, deployed from the retaining recess, where present. Thus, the cover portion is deployed and in the extended state when the core of the device is in the second stable state, ready for use on a person.

By creating a first stable state in which the core is a coil, the device can be compactly stored and can, for example, be worn on a user's wrist or ankle like a bracelet, or it can be readily placed within a handbag or a pocket on clothing. It may also be attached to clothing or a bag. By “coil”, it will be appreciated that the coiled state may be substantially arcuate or a loop, whereby it forms a concave shape that is part of a coil.

In the second stable state, the core may be substantially a U-shape or substantially linear, or straight. Where the second stable state is a U-shape, this shape allows the device to sit upon a user's shoulders whilst engaging the user's neck. In the alternative, wherein the core is substantially linear, the cover portion may be wrapped in a direction that acts against the direction of coiling. That is to say that the core may be bent against the direction in which it coils, thereby providing a resilient portion to the device that provides an element of rigidity. The cover portion can be deployed and may extend over the user's hair or face to provide a covering therefor.

In one arrangement, the wearable device is provided with a fastener mechanism, which may be in the form of a drawstring or two respective parts that can be connected to one another. This allows the device to be readily fastened in place when in its deployed state. It may be that when the respective parts of the fastening mechanism are connected to one another that the bi-stable core is held in a position that bends the bi-stable core against the direction in which it coils.

Where the cover portion is a hood or hat, in order to accommodate longer hair or styles that extend backwards, the hood portion may comprise a bulge. The bulge, or “hair sack” element, is preferably arranged at the rear of the device when worn, to allow for hair to be comfortably protected in a relaxed state without being un-styled in a manner that will make it look untidy when removed from the device. The bulge portion may be enhanced by having the bi-stable core in the second, preferably linear, state and flexing the core against the direction in which it coils.

In one arrangement, the covering portion may be provided with ribs. The ribs, which may extend in any direction, for example, laterally, longitudinally and/or diagonally, may provide some reinforcement to the covering portion. This reinforcement provides stability and rigidity to the covering portion to reduce the risk of wind or external forces blowing it out of shape. Additionally, by having ribs in the covering portion, the covering portion can be held away from the user's hair or face, thereby reducing the risk of the hair style being compressed by the device or making the user more comfortable by spacing the covering away from the user's face.

In a preferable embodiment, the covering portion has an inner surface comprising an antistatic material or an electro-static discharge material. This reduces the risk of static building up, which might disrupt the hair style. In another arrangement, where the covering portion is face or mouth and/or nose covering, a detachable filter may be provided as an inner surface. The inner surface may be connected by way of fasteners such as hook-and-eye material, snap-fit connectors, such as poppers, buttons, clips or other mechanisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in a first stable state;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in a first stable state;

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention also in a first stable state;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention in a second stable state; and

FIGS. 7 to 19 show views of different embodiments of the present invention in a deployed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a head and/or hair protection device 10 comprising a first, collar, portion 12 and a hood portion 14 connected to the collar portion 12. The first portion 12 is in the form of an elongate strip 16 having a fabric or silicone coating and containing a bi-stable core therein, which provides the device 10 with a first stable position—a coiled position, as shown in FIG. 3—and a second stable position—a substantially U-shaped position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be noted that the U-shaped position may be created by the natural state of the bi-stable core, or it may be created by providing a force that is applied against the direction of coil, thereby creating tension in the core.

The collar portion 12 is provided with a retaining recess, or pocket, (not shown) that has a closure mechanism to keep the pocket closed, when required, although the closure mechanism may be optional.

Attached along the collar portion 12 within the recess is the hood portion 14. The hood portion 14 is in the form of a hood or head covering that is sized to receive a user's head, with sufficient space to avoid compressing the hairstyle. The hood portion 14 comprises a weather-proof external surface and, optionally, is provided with in internal lining of antistatic material or electro-static discharge material. The hood portion 14 is further provided with a conduit 18 around the front periphery, through which a string or similar band 20 is threaded, thereby allowing the front of the hood portion 14 to be tightened to retain the device in place at the front of a user's head, but without compressing the middle and/or rear of the device, thereby keeping the hair style intact.

The hood portion 14 is provided with a bulge 22 at the rear in which hair can be tucked. The bulge 22 is formed by creating a pocket or pouch of material between the apex of the hood portion 14 and the point at which it connects to the collar portion 12. The bulge 22 thus creates a support for the user's hair within the device 10 that does not compress the hair, when in use.

In the first state, the head and/or hair protection device 10 is rolled into a coil, with the hood portion being stowed within the receiving recess. The coil is compact and so can be placed into a bag or pouch for storage, with the storage bag preferably being waterproof to hold in any water that might be present on the device. The storage bag may then be placed into a handbag or pocket. Alternatively, the hair protection device 10 may be worn unobtrusively on a user's limb, such as on their wrist, with the stable core shape enabling the device to wrap around the user's wrist, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the second, deployed state, the hood portion 14 is extended from the receiving recess and the collar portion 12 is manipulated into a U-shape. The collar 12 can engage a user's neck and/or can rest upon the user's shoulders, whilst the hood portion 14 is placed over the user's head and hair. Thus, the hairstyle is protected from adverse weather, such as wind or rain.

When finished with the hair protection device 10, the user returns the hood portion 14 into the receiving recess or wraps the cover portion 14 around the first portion 12, as shown in, for example, FIG. 6, and then manipulates the first portion 12 into the first state.

It is envisaged that the conduit of the hood portion may be inflatable in addition to, or in place of, the string. This allows for a used to inflate the hood portion to provide more rigidity and to provide better weather resistance. Similarly, any ribs that are provided on the hood portion may be inflatable or may be of more rigid material than the rest of the hood portion. The ribs may run the length of the hood portion, for example, from the receiving recess to the conduit and/or they may run across the hood portion, for example, from one part of the conduit and circling back round to the conduit.

Various further embodiments are shown in FIGS. 4 to 17, in which common features are labelled accordingly. Thus, in the arrangements shown in those figures, there is shown, a device 10 comprising an elongate first portion 12, to which is connected a cover portion 14. The elongate portion is provided with a bistable core 16 extending at least partially therealong. A pocket 22 may be provided on the elongate first portion in which the cover portion 14 can be stowed for storage. The location of the bi-stable core within the first portion 12 is indicated by the core element 24 in the figures.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the device may be worn as a separate hood to be worn by a user. In this way, the first portion 12 can be worn around the user's neck and the cover portion 14 can be worn in a raised position, covering the user's head, or in a lowered as shown in the figures. Thus, when not in use, the user can either remove the device and put it into the coiled position and either wear or store it, or the device can be worn around the user's neck and lowered. This is particularly useful with intermittent rain or sunshine.

The device may be worn with the bi-stable core in either the first, coiled, position or in the second, extended position.

The core may be in the form of a stainless-steel bistable spring band, such as those used in “slap bracelets”. Clearly, other materials that are able to form a bistable spring or core may be employed, for example, plastics materials or metal materials other than stainless steel.

The first portion may incorporate one or more magnets to assist with keeping it in place.

It is envisaged that the core may be replaced with a malleable core that allows the user to mould the device into a desired shape. Thus, the user can shape the device in order to store it, for example, around a limb or bag, or it can be made into a smaller shape so that it can be placed into a pocket or bag. Further, the device can be deployed by manipulating the device into a collar or wrapping it loosely around a user's neck with the hood portion deployed therefrom. The core may comprise a metallic or plastics material that allows for plastic formation to form a collar. Similarly, a flexible core may be employed that is capable of being deformed and held in place. When a flexible core is employed, the collar may be held in place by a connection member whilst the core is under tension to keep it held in a convenient shape for wearing, for example, an oval or circular shape. These different cores may be incorporated into any embodiment shown or described herein, in place of the bistable core.

Where the collar of any embodiment disclosed herein is able to wrap around a user's neck, it may be desirable to have a fastening, such as a popper, magnets, hook-and-eye material or a push-fit connector, to hold the collar in place. The fastenings, which may comprise two parts with one on each side of the collar or both on the same side, can be fixed together to keep the collar in shape.

It is envisaged that the present invention may be employed for a variety of different applications, such as a sun hat, rain hat or athletic or sportswear, such as a headwear for walking, hiking, cycling or skiing, that, optionally, can be worn over or underneath a helmet or other headgear. Such a device may include reflective material or elements to aid with visibility. Furthermore, such coverings may include a wicking material for comfort.

The device of the present invention may be provided with means to connect it to other items such as a bag or to clothing, or to allow keys or similar to be attached thereto. The connection means may be in the form of a clip, loop, keyring or other element.

In one arrangement, the cover portion may be a bag portion. In such an arrangement the bag may be a shopping bag, or the cover portion may be usable as a shopping bag, thereby allowing the user to readily transport a shopping bag in the stowed position, that can be deployed to hold items, when required.

The device may be disposable or recyclable and may be branded. Thus, the device may be suitable for events where coverings may be required. Preferably, such devices and coverings are recyclable.

The bi-stable core may be positioned adjacent an edge of the device or set back therefrom, depending upon the desired overall look of the device.

The covering may be provided with apertures, slits or other openings therein, which may assist with ventilation and/or safety. Additionally, items may be attached to the covering via the apertures, slits or other openings.

Unless explicitly prohibited, one or more features of one embodiment disclosed herein may be incorporated into a different embodiment disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the drawing strings shown in the first embodiment may be applied to other embodiments shown herein.

Claims

1. A wearable device comprising: a second stable state.

an elongate first portion; and

a cover portion connected to the first portion;

wherein the first portion comprises a bi-stable core arranged longitudinally at least partially therethrough, so that the wearable device has: a first stable state in which the bi-stable core is coiled; and

2. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion has a stowed state and a deployed state

3. A wearable device according to claim 2, wherein, the first portion has a retaining recess into which the cover portion can be stowed when the cover portion is in its stowed state and wherein the wearable device is in the first stable state.

4. A wearable device according to claim 2, wherein, when the cover portion is in its stowed position, it is wrapped around the first portion.

5. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein, the cover portion extends from the elongate first portion when the cover portion is in its deployed state.

6. A wearable device according to claim 2, wherein the cover portion is provided with two respective parts of a fastening mechanism that, when the cover portion is in the deployed state, can be connected to one another.

7. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein, when the two respective parts of the fastening mechanism are connected to one another, the bi-stable core is held in a position that bends the bi-stable core against the direction in which it coils.

8. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion comprises a bulge.

9. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion is provided with ribs.

10. A wearable device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has an inner surface comprising an antistatic material, filter material or an electro-static discharge material.