Interchangeable headwear system for waterproof marine garments

Abstract

An detachable headwear system with a waterproof garment having a chest portion and a neck portion, a headwear article, a zipper for connecting the waterproof garment to the headwear article, the zipper having first zipper teeth on the waterproof garment and second zipper teeth on the headwear article, the first zipper teeth being engageable with the second zipper teeth, the first zipper teeth beginning in a first area of the chest portion, extending at least partially around the neck portion, and ending in a second area of the chest portion.

Claims

1. A detachable headwear system, comprising: a waterproof garment having a chest portion and a neck portion; a headwear article; a zipper for connecting the waterproof garment to the headwear article, the zipper having first zipper teeth on the waterproof garment and second zipper teeth on the headwear article, the first zipper teeth being engageable with the second zipper teeth; the first zipper teeth beginning in a first area of the chest portion, extending at least partially around the neck portion, and ending in a second area of the chest portion the headwear article has a collar, the collar having a first set of hook and loop fasteners positioned on a first placket and a second placket, such that when the hook and loop fasteners are mated the plackets cover the mouth region of a wearer; the headwear article further comprising a second set of hook and loop fasteners configurable to be mated relatively below the first set of hook and loop fasteners at the neck of a wearer; the second set of hook and loop fasteners extends longitudinally downward to allow for continuous longitudinal mating of the second set of hook and loop fasteners such that a barrier is formed against the ingress of liquids; and wherein a portion of the zipper on the chest portion is adapted to remain uncovered by the headwear article when the headwear article is connected to the garment, such that manipulation of the portion of the zipper is unobstructed; wherein when the headwear article is mounted to the waterproof garment at least one drainage hole is formed between the headwear article and the waterproof garment adapted to allow for water that enters between the waterproof garment and the headwear article to be released.

2. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the headwear article is a first headwear article, the system further including a second headwear article, different from the first headwear article, and wherein the second headwear article is configured to be attached to the waterproof garment when the first headwear article is detached from the waterproof garment.

3. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the first area of the chest portion is between 50 mm and 300 mm down from a front neck seam and the second area of the chest portion is between 50 mm and 300 mm down from the front neck seam.

4. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the first zipper teeth extend from a first zipper tape that extends continuously between the first area of the chest portion and the second area of the chest portion.

5. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein a fastener holds the headwear article to the chest area of the waterproof garment.

6. The detachable headwear system of claim 5, wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

7. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the headwear article includes a face shield.

8. The detachable headwear system of claim 7, wherein the face shield is configurable to extend over the first placket and second placket.

9. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the headwear article includes a hood.

10. The detachable headwear system of claim 9, wherein the hood is fixed to the collar, such that the collar is configured to be inside the hood when the hood is in an in-use position.

11. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the headwear article includes a hooded mask.

12. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the waterproof garment is a sailing smock.

13. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the waterproof garment is a waterproof dry suit.

14. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein a strap extends over the zipper generally perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal direction of the zipper.

15. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the headwear article further includes a face shield securable over the nose of a wearer.

16. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein a seam is provided at a base of the collar joined to a shoulder panel of the headwear article, such that the shoulder panel can provide a closer fit with the waterproof garment.

17. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the first set of hook and loop fasteners extends longitudinally down the placket and allows for continuous longitudinal mating of the first set of hook and loop fasteners such that ingress of liquids is reduced.

18. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first placket and the second placket is contoured between the first set of hook and loop fasteners and the second set of hook and loop fasteners.

19. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the headwear article extends down the chest portion so as to fully cover a mating means below the headwear article.

20. The detachable headwear system of claim 1, wherein the headwear article is mounted over a neck seal on the waterproof garment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1A & 1B are a front view and rear view of a waterproof smock featuring the headwear attachment system without any headwear article attached.

(2) FIGS. 2A & 2B are a front view and rear view of a waterproof drysuit featuring the headwear attachment system without any headwear article attached.

(3) FIGS. 3A, 3B & 3C are front detail views of a waterproof garment featuring the headwear attachment system showing steps of attaching an article of a headwear.

(4) FIGS. 4A & 4B are a front view and rear detail view of a waterproof garment featuring the headwear attachment system with a headwear article attached.

(5) FIGS. 5A & 5B are a front and rear detail view of a headwear article featuring a collar and placket opening.

(6) FIG. 5C is a front detail view of the headwear article shown in FIGS. 5A & 5B with placket open.

(7) FIGS. 6A & 6B are a front and rear detail view of a headwear article featuring a collar and placket opening.

(8) FIGS. 7A & 7B are a front and rear detail view of a headwear article featuring a collar and placket opening, attached hood and face shield.

(9) FIG. 7C is a side detail view of the headwear article shown in FIG. 7A with face shield stowed on the side of the collar.

(10) FIG. 7D is a side detail view of the headwear article shown in FIG. 7A with hood stowed behind the collar.

(11) FIGS. 8A & 8B are a front and rear detail view of a headwear article comprising a form fitting hooded mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) Examples of garments commonly used for sailing as well as many other marine sports and activities that are compatible with the present interchangeable headwear system are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(13) FIGS. 1A and 1B show a waterproof smock intended for sailing featuring a neck seal 10 and wrist seals 20. The smock is intended to be worn in conjunction with a waterproof trouser or salopette to provide waterproof protection.

(14) FIGS. 2A and 2B show a waterproof dry suit featuring a neck seal 10 and wrist seals 20. The dry suit is an entirely watertight garment that is worn over undergarments and provides complete waterproof protection to the user.

(15) The garments 1 are generally made from a waterproof textile joined at seams by a means of a waterproof hot-melt adhesive seam tape or other method known in the art.

(16) The present interchangeable headwear system includes a neck seal 10 fixed to a garment 1 that provides a water tight seal around the wearers neck to prevent the ingress of water into the garment. The neck seal 10 is joined to garment 1 at a neck seam 11.

(17) Suitable watertight seals for the neck seal are known in the art and are generally in the form of a conical tube with a first narrower opening 12 to seal around the neck and a second larger opening joined the garment at neck seam 11. The seals are generally comprised of an elastomeric rubber material that provides adequate elongation so that the first opening can be stretched over the head when donning and doffing the garment and fit securely around the neck to provide a substantially water-tight seal.

(18) Other suitable neck seals known in the art include adjustable cuffs comprised of a waterproof rubber, PVC, neoprene or Polyurethane coated textile or other material with a hook and loop adjustable fastener that allows the seal to be opened for donning and doffing and then sealed tight around the neck during use.

(19) An attachment method of the headwear system is provided by a zipper 30 that begins and finishes in the chest area of the garment 1 and encircles around the neck of the garment.

(20) The zipper 30 is an open-ended type zipper known in the art that features a first and second element each comprising a tape and teeth that zip together using a single slider. The elements can be completely separated from one another and reattached by means of the slider.

(21) The first element 31 of the zipper is fixed to the garment 1, the start and finishing ends of the zipper positioned in the chest area of the garment with the length of the zipper encircling around the neck of the garment.

(22) In a preferred embodiment, an additional fastening means is also provided in the chest area of the garment to allow ease of positioning and alignment of the headwear items when engaging the zipper elements. The fastening means is preferably in the form of a hook and loop fastener commonly known in the art.

(23) The process in which an article of headwear 2 is attached to the garment 1 is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B & 3C.

(24) The article of headwear 2 features a second zipper element 32 configured to attach to the first zipper element 31 of the garment. A zipper slider 35 is provided and is preferably permanently attached to the headwear zipper element 32, with each headwear element having its own zipper slider. This reduces bulk of the garment 1 and prevents the risk of the zipper slider breaking or sliding around the first zipper element 31 when an article of headwear is not attached. In an alternative embodiment, slider 35 may be attached to the first zipper element 31 attached to the garment 1.

(25) To attach an article of headwear 2 to the garment 1, the article of headwear is first positioned over the users head so that the first and second zipper elements roughly align. An insert pin provided on the first zipper element 31 is inserted into the zipper slider 35 and a retaining box of the second zipper element 32 to connect the starting end of the zipper as shown in FIG. 3B. A hook and loop fastener consisting of a panel of loops 33 fixed to the chest and panel of hooks 34 fixed on the underside of the article of headwear can also be used to hold the article of headwear in place to allow for easier insertion of the insert pin of the zipper. The zipper slider is then pulled over the shoulder, around the back of the neck and over the opposite should towards the chest area thereby connecting the two elements of the zipper joining the article of headwear 2 to the garment 1.

(26) The first element 31 of the zipper 30 is positioned and fixed to the garment 1 on the outer side of the neck seam 11 where the neck seal 10 is attached. The first zipper element 31 is positioned on the garment 1 to allow for the user to zip or unzip the zipper using a single hand and motion. The start and finish of the zipper element 31 is preferably positioned in the chest area of the garment between 50 mm and 300 mm vertically down from the front neck seam so that the user can look down and easily see the zipper start and end to allow for easy alignment and insertion of the insertion pin of the first zipper element 31 into the zipper slider and retaining box of the second zipper element 32. The first zipper element 31 encircles the neck of the garment 1 and is positioned as close to the center rear neck seam as possible so that slider 35 can be reached by the user whilst zipping or unzipping the zipper around the rear of the neck.

(27) An optional puller 36 can also be fixed to the zipper slider 35 to allow for easier reach to the zipper slider by the user whilst zipping up and down the zipper around the back of the neck.

(28) The first zipper element 31 is preferably stitched or bonded to the waterproof body textile at least 20 mm away from the neck seam 11 to allow for easy application of a hot-melt seam tape around the neck seam and/or stitching of the zipper, to reduce bulk at the neck seam and also to allow for the ability for the neck seal to be more easily replaced if it is damaged during use.

(29) In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A & 4B, the first zipper element 31 is fixed to a connecting panel 40 that is joined to the garment 1 by stitching or bonding. The connecting panel 40 provides a distance between the rigid teeth components and the attachment point with the garment so that the rigid teeth do not interfere with sewing, seam taping and/or bonding equipment during assembly.

(30) In a preferred embodiment also shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, drainage holes are provided to allow for any water that enters and gathers between the article of headgear and garment to be released. Drainage can be provided by allowing one or more gaps 41 between the start and finish of zipper element 31 and fastener 33. Drainage may also be provided by allowing one or more gaps 42 in the stitching where zipper element 31 or connecting panel 40 are fixed to the garment 1.

(31) In a preferred embodiment also shown in FIG. 4A, a securing strap 43 is provided to secure the zipper slider in the closed position to prevent the collar unintentionally unfastening during use.

(32) FIGS. 5A-C, 6A-B, 7A-D & 8A-B show various articles of headwear 2 that can be provided and can be interchanged during use of the garment to suit different weather conditions, activity or user preference. Each article features its own second zipper element 32 that can be attached to the first zipper element 31 of the garment.

(33) In one configuration suitable for mild weather conditions or during activities where the sailor requires high visibility and maximum maneuverability, the user can wear the garment without any headwear attachment thereby providing maximum freedom of vision and movement.

(34) Articles of headwear comprising a collar are shown in FIGS. 5A-C and 6A-B. Various collar height and shape configurations are possible to suit specific conditions and user requirements.

(35) The headwear articles comprising a collar are preferably provided with a seam 51 at the base of the collar 50 that joins to a shoulder panel 52 that spans between the base of the collar and the second zipper element 32. The shoulder panel allows a closer fit of the collar by allowing a small circumference of the base of the collar compared to the circumference of the zipper 30.

(36) The collars preferably feature an opening at the front of the collar 53 to allow the user to open the collar for increased ventilation and/or visibility as shown in FIG. 5C. The opening is preferably provided with hook and loop fasteners positioned on a first placket 54 and a second placket 55 to allow the collar to be secured closed. The plackets preferably extend down to form part of the shoulder panel to allow a larger opening of the collar and are joined together at the base of the plackets 56.

(37) For conditions where a moderate degree of protection is required and/or good visibility, audibility and maneuverability is required, a headwear attachment comprising with a lower height collar can be provided as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C. In this configuration the collar is sized so that the top of the collar is positioned below the ears.

(38) For conditions where a higher degree of protection is required, a headwear article featuring a high collar as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B can be provided. The high collar is sized so that the collar substantially covers the ears.

(39) In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D, an article of headwear includes a face shield 70 that be secured over the mouth and nose of the user. The face shield can be optionally secured to the side of the collar using a hook and loop fastener or other attachment means when not required, as shown in FIG. 7C.

(40) In another preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D, the headwear article includes a hood 71 to provide increased protection. The hood is preferably constructed from a waterproof textile that is fixed to the collar. The hood is also preferably configured to be stowed in a pouch or positioned to sit behind the wearers head when not in use, as shown in FIG. 7B. In an alternative embodiment, a hood may be provided as a headwear article that attaches to the garment 1 without a collar.

(41) In another configuration, an article of headwear 2 is provided in the form of a form fitting hooded mask as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The mask is preferably comprised a stretchable waterproof textile such as a neoprene foam and textile composite and/or waterproof membrane and textile composite. The hooded mask preferably includes at least one opening for vision 80 and optional breathing holes 81 or area of highly air permeable material near the mouth. The hooded mask features a flared shape 82 at the base of the neck confirming to the shoulders of the wearer that extends to the second zipper element 32.

(42) While several embodiments have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that aspects of the present invention include many more embodiments and implementations. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. It will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some instances, one or more features disclosed in connection with one embodiment can be used alone or in combination with one or more features of one or more other embodiments.