Travel Comfort Accessory

Abstract

A travel garment accessory comprises a head portion to be worn on or over the head of the user, the head portion having a back wall, side walls and an open front area. Further, garment accessory comprises a pair of lateral privacy panel portions extending from the side walls and adjacent the open front area so that at least one of the lateral privacy panel portions forms a privacy barrier for the face of the user.

Claims

1. A travel garment accessory comprising: a head portion to be worn on or over the head of the user, the head portion having a back wall, side walls and an open front area, and a pair of lateral privacy panel portions extending from the side walls and adjacent the open front area so that at least one of the lateral privacy panel portions forms a privacy barrier for the face of the user.

2. A travel garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the privacy lateral panels is movable between an open position in which it provides the privacy barrier for the user and a folded position in which it is folded or compacted into the head portion.

3. A travel garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the face area can be adjusted in size by loosening or tightening a drawstring in the head portion.

4. A travel garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one blanket portion is attached to the head portion.

5. A travel garment as claimed in claim 4 comprising two blanket portions each of which is attached to a lower edge of the head portion laterally, and an open space is provided between each of the two lateral blankets.

6. A travel garment as claimed in claim 5 wherein the blanket portion is an elongate member for extending downwardly over the front of the user, and the blanket portion has at least one pocket thereon.

7. A travel garment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the blanket portion is foldable so that it can be folded against the head portion.

8. A travel garment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the blanket portion is selectively removable from the head portion.

9. A travel garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the head portion include a ventilation opening.

10. A travel garment as claimed in claim 9 wherein the ventilation opening is located on a top wall of the head portion, the ventilation opening having a closure flap for opening and closing the ventilation opening, and a mesh fabric formed within the ventilation opening.

11. A travel garment as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one pillow.

12. A travel garment as claimed in claim 11 further comprising pockets for receiving the pillow and holding the pillow in a selected position.

12. A travel garment as claimed in claim 11 wherein the pillow comprises a neck pillow formed near a base of the head portion.

13. A travel garment as claimed in claim 11 wherein the pillow is a privacy panel pillow located in or on the privacy panel portion of the garment.

14. A travel garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the privacy panel portion can be positioned relative to the head portion in a plurality of incremental and angled positions so that the user can choose the orientation of the privacy barrier and maintain the privacy panel portion in the selected position.

15. A travel garment as claimed in claim 4 comprising both front and rear blanket portions which depending from the head portion, the front and rear blanket portions being detachable from the head portion.

16. A travel garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the privacy panel portions have connector means for holding them in a selected position relative to the head portion.

17. A method of wearing a garment comprising: providing a head portion to be worn on or over the head of the user, the head portion having a back wall, side walls and an open front area, and adjusting a pair of lateral privacy panel portions which extend from the side walls so as to be adjacent the open front area whereby at least one of the lateral privacy panel portions forms a privacy barrier for the face of the user.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein at least one of the privacy lateral panels is movable between an open position in which it provides the privacy barrier for the user and a folded position in which it is folded or compacted into the head portion.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein at least one blanket portion is attached to the head portion.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the head portion include a ventilation opening and at least one pillow.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the drawings:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front view of a comfort garment in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with privacy flaps tucked in;

[0029] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show a front view and a rear view respectively of a comfort garment in accordance with the invention, similar to that in FIG. 1 but with certain components thereof in the operative position;

[0030] FIG. 3 a front view of a comfort garment in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, including ventilation related structures (closed);

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the comfort garment in accordance with yet a further aspect of the invention, including the presence of pillows;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a comfort garment of the invention in another embodiment, showing a plurality of integrated features and their respective positions;

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a front view of a comfort garment of the invention in yet a further version thereof, illustrating components and their position on the comfort garment;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a back view of a comfort garment of the invention, including illustration of a ventilation system when in the open position; and

[0035] FIG. 8 is a front view of a further embodiment of a comfort garment of the invention, including pillows, pockets and blankets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which show various embodiments and versions of a comfort garment which may be made in accordance with the present invention. It should be noted that the drawings show examples of components and features of the comfort garment, in certain styles and positions, but the invention is not limited to those embodiments illustrated and described with reference to the drawings. A wide variety of differently configured garments are possible having the elements and structures of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a comfort garment 10 of the invention, which is in the form of a hoodie or headgear which is worn on the head. The hoodie 10 has a head portion 12 having side walls 14a and 14b respectively, a dome 16 and a back wall 18. In the front and central part of the hoodie 10, there is a face space 20, which keeps the face generally uncovered when the hoodie 10 is worn by a user.

[0038] The side walls 14a and 14b have lower ends 24 and 26, and attached to these lower ends 24 and 26, at the neck pillow area, are blanket portions 28 and 30 respectively. Each of the blanket portions 28 and 30 may be permanently attached to the lower ends 24 and 26 respectively, or they may be removably attached so that they can be selectively connected to the hoodie 10 depending upon whether the user has a need for these blanket portions 28 and 30. Each blanket portion 28 and 30 may comprise an elongate strip, which may in one embodiment be about 48 to 68 inches long, based on unisex average height, and about 6 inches wide. Other sizes are of course possible. The blanket portions are intended to cover, at least partially, the front and legs of the wearer.

[0039] In another embodiment, the hoodie 10 may attach to a garment such as a sweater, and the blanket portions may also attach to the sweater, so that the two may be connected to a common source or base support. The base support may be something other than a sweater.

[0040] Each blanket portion 28 and 30 is connected to the head portion 12 at the front near the lower ends 24 and 26, and there is an open space 34 between the blanket portions in the front area. Each blanket portion 28 and 30 extends around the base of the head portion 12, partway around the back of the head portion, as seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings. At the back, there is also an open space 36. The open spaces 34 and 36 allow some flexibility in the use of the blanket portions 28 and 30, so that the user can benefit from their presence, but still have relative freedom of movement of the arms or the torso or other parts of the body for other activities, such as reading and eating, shifting for comfort, leaning etc. without unnecessary restrictions.

[0041] In certain versions of the invention, the blankets may be removable, as mentioned. Further, the head portion 12 or other part of the hoodie 10 may have at least one compartment or space into which one or both of the blankets 28 and 30 may be stored when not needed.

[0042] The hoodie 10 of the invention may include a drawstring 40 which extends in a seam around the face space 20 and out through apertures near the lower ends 24 and 26 so that by pulling or releasing the drawstring 40, the face space 20 may be enlarged or reduced in size, to meet the needs of the user. Aiglets may be provided on each drawstring end as is conventional to precent fraying and facilitate threading through the seam.

[0043] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B of the drawings show an embodiment of the invention similar to that in FIG. 1. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or corresponding components in the hoodie 10. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front and rear view of the hoodie 10 respectively. The front view in FIG. 2A shows the presence of a first lateral privacy flap 50 extending outwardly from the side walls 14, and which can be adjusted in position to shield or cover the face of the user, or to generally project away from the face so as to offer a type of curtain of privacy for the user. Any intermediate position may be selected for optimal privacy and comfort. A second lateral privacy flap 52 is also available on the other side of the head portion 12. Both the first and second lateral privacy flaps 50 and 52 may be used at the same time, or not, and each of these privacy flaps 50 and 52 can be independently adjusted to some extent so that user can select independently a preferred position for each one of them, to take account different situations and activity on each side of the user, such as a passenger on one side and a plane window on the other.

[0044] FIG. 2B, a back or rear view of the hoodie 10, also shows the presence of a vent flap 56, which is in the closed position in this figure, but which can be opened, using for example a loop or tab 58, when ventilation is desired. Various structures such as Velcro® may be used to keep the vent flap 56 open or closed or anywhere in between these positions, as may be needed. This FIG. 2B also identifies the open space 36 between the blanket portions 28 and 30, allowing for increased flexibility and also improved ventilation at the user's back, as described above.

[0045] FIG. 3 of the drawings shows a front view of the hoodie 10 of the invention, including a ventilation opening 60 at the top of the hoodie 10. The ventilation opening 60 comprises a movable door or flap 62, which can conveniently be opened and closed using the tab loop 64 on the door 62. In FIG. 4 of the drawings, there is shown the back view of the hoodie 10. In this figure, it will be seen that the ventilation opening 60 is such that the door or flap 62 extends from the crown of the head to the back of the head, where it ends at about 6 inches above the neck of the user, although this distance can vary and will also depend upon the size of the user. The ventilation opening 60 can be opened or closed independently of other components of the hoodie 10, being closed, partly open or fully open without reference to the position of other components including the lateral privacy flaps 50 and 52, drawstring, blankets 28 and 30 and pillows. The many permutations of positions which can be achieved therefore makes the hoodie 10 of the invention extremely adjustable and flexible for use so that it can cater optimally to the varying needs of the users in a myriad of different situations.

[0046] FIG. 4 of the drawings also shows the presence and positioning of a neck pillow 66, which may typically fit under the hoodie 10 material. The neck pillow 66 may be loosely positioned under the hoodie 10 material or, in other versions, it may fit in a pocket inside or outside the hoodie 10. Further, there may be mechanisms for securing the neck pillow in a preferred position to prevent it from sliding or moving, and the securing may be achieved by straps, Velcro®, fasteners or, indeed, any other suitable device. This FIG. 4 also shows the arrangement whereby the blankets 28 and 30 define an open space 36 at the back of the user, for flexibility reasons as already discussed above. Note that pillow 60 can in one embodiment be removed, and stored either in another pocket of the hoodie 10 or an attached garment, or in a bag or other structure which is carried separately.

[0047] FIG. 5 of the drawings illustrates a front view of a hoodie 10 or comfort garment of the invention, with several of the accessories shown and present on embodiment. In this figure, the first and second lateral privacy flaps 50 and 52 can be seen in the unfolded and operative position. Furthermore, a pair of lateral pillows 70 and 72 are shown, for supporting and providing comfort to the side of the head of the user. The pillows 70 and 72 may have many different forms or varieties. They may be loose or contained in pockets or compartments. They may be inflatable. They may have storage capability on the hoodie 10. They may, further, have straps, fasteners or other devices for holding them in a preferred position, once found by the user.

[0048] Each lateral flap 50 and 52 may be about 5 to 6 inches high and about 2.5 to 3 inches in width, although sizes may vary according to specific use environments and user preferences. The lateral flaps may be expandable or have fold outs to vary their operational size. Each lateral flap 50 and 52 has the ability to flip under the hoodie 10 when not in use, so as to fold away and remain unobtrusive and not cause discomfort to the user. The flaps may include logos, names, or other graphics or written material.

[0049] FIG. 5 further shows the ventilation opening 60 in the open position to allow cooling and air flow. Under the door flap or opening of the ventilation opening 60, there may be an open breathable material or fabric or mesh 80 so that the hoodie 10 maintains its shape when the vent is open, but at the same time allows air flow to operate substantially unrestricted. FIG. 5 further shows the presence of the neck pillows 70 and 72 with a slit 71 or opening constructed in the hoodie material for convenient removal or replacement, also illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, as seen from the front.

[0050] FIG. 6 of the drawings shows another front view of a hoodie 10 in accordance with the invention. The ventilation opening 60 is open to allow air flow and cooling. The lateral flaps 50 and 52 are positioned for use and are located on each side of the face to provide a degree of privacy. FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the hoodie 10 with the crown exposed by the opening of the ventilation system.

[0051] FIG. 7 of the drawings shows a further embodiment of the invention including the hoodie 90 having lateral flaps 92 and 94, which are on each side of the face in use as described to provide privacy and convenience. There are lateral flaps 96 and 98, and there are pillows 100 located in these flaps as well as at the neck and shoulders. The pillows may be inserted or removed as desired by the user depending upon the circumstances. Blankets 102 and 104 are provided, and at least one of the blankets has an inside pocket 106 which may hold personal items such as wallet, keys, phones and the like. The pockets 106 may have a closure mechanism for keeping the contents safe, since these could quite easily fall out inadvertently during a plane trip or while in transit or at other points of the travel routine.

[0052] Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

[0053] As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. As used herein, a “set” of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used herein, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.