Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/022,599, filed July 9, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to garments and accessories, and more particularly, to a hooded garment with a removable face cover that can provide face and neck protection for the wearer as well as being used as a fashion statements. For instance, the face cover can include celebration- or holiday-related indicia.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Fashion has long created a market for hooded garments (also called hoodies), which generally refer to garments such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, tank tops, and jackets with a hood affixed thereto. Normally, the user can select whether to wear the hood up, covering the head, or down, generally hanging at an upper area of the back of the garment. Hoodies are a versatile piece of clothing that is a convenient way to keep the wearer's head warm when needed. They are also fashionable in a way that many of them have custom-designed logos to express a preference for a school or a sports team.

[0004] Hoodies were originally created for their functions. The history of hooded garments went back to the Middle Ages when monks and scholars wore hoods to shield their faces. Hoods, worn as part of jackets or overcoats, served as protective items for farm workers into the 19* century. The knitted, hooded sweatshirt was popularized in the 1930s by apparel manufacturer Champion for the working class and evolved into popular sportswear over the course of the 20 ^th century. [0005] One of the primary problems with existing hoodies is they do not always effectively protect a wearer from sun, wind, rain, snow, cold and other outside elements and forces. Although some hoodies extend forwardly in a tube-like fashion providing increased protection, the vast majority of hoodies is relatively small in size and may fail to provide sufficient protection.

[0006] Accordingly, there is an established need for a hooded garment providing increased protection to the wearer.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention is directed to a convenient hooded garment with a removable face cover that is capable of not only providing face and neck protection for a wearer when needed, but also displaying different designs and styles for different occasions. The face cover can be made of cloth, or any other soft and flexible material. The face cover can include decorative elements or indicia (for instance, the face of a cartoon character, a clown, a ghost, etc.). The decorative elements or indicia can be related to holidays or other special occasions such as Christmas, Halloween, etc. The user may have several interchangeable face covers and select which to wear depending upon the occasion, or to match the color of the hood.

[0008] The removable face cover can be easily, selectively and repeatedly attached to and removed from a hood of a hooded garment by at least one disconnectably re-attachable fastener. Thus, the face cover can be worn in times of necessity, such as cold weather, but can be detached when it is no longer needed such as when entering a bui lding or a social situation such as conversations with friends and others, as well as affording the wearer the opportunity to use the removable face cover as a fashion statement for different occasions by choosing from a variety of face covers of different designs and styles.

[0009] Having a removable face cover allows that, when not in use, the face cover can be completely detached from the garment, instead of remaining attached to the garment in a hanging, rolled or other configuration. This ability to be removed prov ides significant advantages such as being able to convert the hooded garment into an ordinary hoodie when not using the face cover, preventing biilkiness and discomfort when the face cover is not in use, and allowing the face cover to be stored separately. In addition, having a removable re-attachable face cover grants the opportunity to change to a different design of the face cover without purchasing another hoodie.

[0010] Introducing a first embodiment of the invention, the present invention consists of a hooded garment comprising: a garment body; a hood, extending from an upper portion of the garment body, the hood comprising a hood body for selectively covering a head of a wearer; and a removable face cover selectively and repeatedly attachable to and removable from the hood body.

[001 1 ] In a second aspect, the hood comprises a face opening delimited by an edge of the hood body, wherein the removable face cover is selectively and repeatedly attachable to and removable from the hood body proximate to or at the edge of the hood body and the edge of the removable face cover.

[0012] In another aspect, the hooded garment further includes an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the removable face cover to the hood, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a first part and a second part configured to mate with one another, wherein the first part is affixed to the hood body and the second part is affixed to the removable face cover.

[0013] In another aspect, the hood comprises a face opening delimited by an edge of the hood body, wherein the removable face cover is selectively and repeatedly attachable to and removable from the hood body proximate to or at the edge of the hood body and the edge of the removable face cover, wherein the first part is along the edge of the hood body and the second part is along the edge of the removable face cover.

[0014] In another aspect, the first part of the attachment mechanism is at least partially arranged on an inner surface of the hood body. [0015] In another aspect, the first part of the attachment mechanism is at least partially arranged on an outer surface of the hood body.

[0016] In another aspect, the second part of the attachment mechanism is at least partially arranged on an inner surface of the removable face cover.

[0017] In another aspect, the second part of the attachment mechanism is at least partially arranged on an outer surface of the removable face cover.

[001 8] In another aspect, the first part of the attachment mechanism is arranged on an inner surface of the hood body, and the second part of the attachment mechanism is arranged on an outer surface of the removable face cover.

[0019] In another aspect, the hooded garment further includes an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the removable face cover to the hood body. The attachment mechanism can include at least one of a zipper mechanism, a hook-and-loop attachment mechanism, a button mechanism, and a snap fastener mechanism.

[0020] In another aspect, the removable face cover is made of a flexible material such as fabric.

[0021 ] In another aspect, the removable face cover is made of a see through and breathe- through material.

[0022] In another aspect, the removable face cover includes at least of an eye opening, a nose opening and a mouth opening.

[0023] In another aspect, the removable face cover includes at least one of an eye portion, a nose portion and a mouth portion, the portion(s) made of a different material than the rest of the removable face cover.

[0024] In another aspect, the removable face cover includes at least one eye portion made of a see-through material. [0025] In another aspect, the removable face cover includes at least one of a nose portion and a mouth portion made of a breathable material.

[0026] Introducing another embodiment of the invention, the present invention consists of a hooded garment comprising: a garment body; a hood, extending from an upper portion of the garment body, the hood comprising a hood body for selectively covering a head of a wearer, and a face opening delimited by an edge of the hood body; a removable face cover; an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the removable face cover to the hood, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a first part and a second part configured to mate with one another, wherein the first part is affixed to the hood body along the edge of the hood body and the second part is affixed to the removable face cover along the edge of the removable face cover.

[0027] Introducing yet another embodiment of the inv ention, the present invention consists of a hooded garment set comprising: a hooded garment comprising: a garment body and a hood, extending from an upper portion of the garment body, the hood comprising a hood body for selectively covering a head of a wearer; and at least two removable face covers selectively, repeatedly, and interchangeable attachable to and removable from the hood body.

[0028] In another aspect, the at least two removable face covers are of different designs, sizes, shapes, colors, and/or made of different materials. [0029] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readi ly apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which :

[0031 ] FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of a first exemplary hooded garment in accordance with the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of the hooded garment of FIG. 1 , showing the removable face cover detached from the hood;

[0033] FIG. 3 presents a perspective view of a second exemplary hooded garment in accordance with the present invention, wherein the face cover includes two see-through eye portions and one breathable mouth portion; and

[0034] FIG. 4 presents a perspective view of the hooded garment of FIG. 3, showing the removable face cover detached from the hood.

[0035] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several v iews of the drawings.

Detailed Description

[0036] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an example, instance, or il lustration." Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herei n, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "rear", "right", "front", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0037] Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a convenient and fashionable hooded garment including a removably re-attachable face cover that can be easily attached to and removed from the hood. The face cover is capable of not only providing face and neck protection for the wearer when needed, but also displaying different designs and styles for different occasions.

[0038] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a hooded garment 100 is illustrated in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the hooded garment 100 comprises a garment body 1 10, a hood 130 and a removable face cover 150. The hood 130 extends from a top portion of the garment body 1 10 as known in the art, in order to cover a user's head as shown in FIG. 1. In accordance with the invention, the removable face cover 1 50 can be attached to the hood 1 0 (see FIG. 1 ) or removed from the hood 1 30 (see FIG. 2). When attached, the removable face cover 1 50 can form a thermo-insulation to keep the head of a wearer in comfortable warm condition and protect the wearer's face and neck from sun, wind, rain, snow, cold and other outside elements and forces.

[0039] As best shown in FIG. 2, the hood 130 includes a hood body 132 having a face opening 1 34 delimited by an edge 136 of the hood body 132. The hood body 132 further presents an inner surface 138 and an outer surface 140. The removable face cover 1 50, in turn, presents a face cover body 1 52 has an outer edge 1 6, an inner surface 1 58 and an outer surface 160.

[0040] An attachment mechanism 1 80 can be provided for attaching the removable face cover 150 to the hood 130. The attachment mechanism 180 can include a first part 182 affixed to the hood 130 and a second part 1 84 affixed to the removable face cover 150. The first part 182 and second part 1 84 are configured to attach to one another in a disconnectable and re- connectable manner. In some embodiments of the invention, the first part 1 82 can be placed on the inner surface 138 of the hood 1 30. In other embodiments, the first part 1 82 can be placed on the outer surface 140 of the hood 130. Similarly, the second part 184 can be placed on the inner surface 158 and/or the outer surface 160 of the removable face cover 1 0. For instance, the first part 182 of the attachment mechanism 1 80 of the present embodiment is placed on the inner surface 1 38 of the hood 1 30, and the second part 184 is placed on the outer surface 160 of the removable face cover 1 50, allowing the attachment mechanism 180 to remain concealed when the removable face cover 150 is fitted and attached to the hood 1 30 (F IG. 1 ). The attachment mechanism can be, for example and without limitation, a zipper mechanism, a hook-and-loop mechanism, a button mechanism, a snap fasteners mechanism, a magnetic attachment or any combination thereof. An exemplary hook-and-loop attachment mechanism 1 80 is shown in the figures, where the first part 1 82 is one of a hook portion or a loop portion and the second part 184 is the other of a hook portion or a loop portion. In certain embodiments, such as the present embodiment, the attachment mechanism 180 extends along the entire edge 136 of the hood 130 and along the entire edge 156 of the removable face cover 150. In alternative embodiments, the attachment mechanism 1 80 can extend only partially along the edges 1 36, 1 56, or be placed in discrete positions along the edges 1 36, 1 56.

[0041 ] The removable face cover 150 can be made of any soft and flexible material, most likely fabric, but not limited to fabric. Preferably, the removable face cover 1 50 is made of a see- through and breathe-through light material enabling the wearer to see through and breathe through the removable face cover 150 from inside of the hood 1 30.

[0042] The removable face cover 1 50 can provide a wearer an option to express their own fashion statement by using the removable face cover 1 50 in different shapes, in different sizes, from different materials, and in different colors. For example, a wearer can choose to display any graphic design on a front face part of the removable face cover 1 50, which functions as a display visible to the outside world, giving the wearer ability to express his or her mood, feelings, creativity, or creating a new fashion trend. Therefore, the present invention affords a wearer a lot of flexibilities in choosing when to wear and when not to wear a face cover, any design or style the wearer wants for any particular occasion, and any mood, feeling, or other message the wearer intends to display.

[0043] The removable face cover 150 can be attached to any hooded garment. There is no specific limitation to materials, shapes, and models of a hooded garment that the removable face cover 1 50 can be attached to.

[0044] Referring now to FIGS . 3 and 4, a hooded garment 200 is i llustrated in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Like features of the hooded garment 200 and the hooded garment 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are numbered the same except preceded by the numeral "2'. As shown, the hooded garment 200 comprises a garment body 210 and a hood 230 extending from an upper portion of the garment body 210. The hood 230 includes a hood body 232 for selectively covering a head of a wearer. In addition, the hooded garment 200 includes a removable face cover 250 selectively and repeatedly attachable to and removable from the hood body 232. The removable face cover 250 includes a face cover body 252, an outer edge 256, an inner surface 258 and an outer surface 260, simi larly to the previous embodiment. An attachment mechanism 280 removably attaches the hood body 230 to the removable face cover 250. A first part 282 of the attachment mechanism 280 is arranged on an inner surface 238 of the hood body 232, and a mating second part 284 of the attachment mechanism 280 is arranged on an outer surface 260 of the removable face cover 250.

[0045] As shown, the face cover body 252 of the removable face cover 250 of the present embodiment further includes two eye portions 262 and a mouth portion 264 made of a different material than the rest of the face cover body 252. For example, the eye portions 262 can be made of a see-through material and the mouth portion 264 can be made of a breathable material while the remaining portion of the removable face cover body 252 can be made of a non-see-through and non-breathable material. Although not shown, it is understandable that a nose portion made of a breathable material can also be provided. Such configurations allow decorating the entire outer surface 260, similarly to the first embodiment, but only having to manufacture specific parts of the face cover body 252 in breathable and/or see-through materials.

[0046] Alternatively, the removable face cover 250 can include openings for the eyes, nose, and/or mouth, in any combination.

[0047] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as i llustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.