Hooded sun shield

#The present invention relates generally to sun protected clothing and accessories.

#Sun protection is a fast growing area of interest for medical professionals and consumers. Protective products include sunscreen lotions and gels, sun protection fabrics, apparel and accessories. Recently, the sun protection market, particularly in outdoor sports, has seen the introduction of face buffs, or tubular, tight fitting, synthetic neck gators that are stretched and manipulated to be worn in various configurations to protect a portion of the user's face. Other sun protective clothing accessories include gloves and wide brimmed and long-billed hats.

#So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

#FIGS. 1a-1c illustrate one embodiment of a hooded sun shield.

#FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate one embodiment of a head piece.

#Currently marketed sun protective apparel accessories are single-piece, lightweight, neck socks (buffs) that lie tightly against the skin, held in place by the elasticity of the fabric. The fabric's flushness on the skin and the tight-fitting nature of the garment can be restrictive to some; breathing from behind the buff can cause sunglasses to fog; and the tightness of the fabric often decreases comfort by increasing the body's temperature. Existing products do not provide full facial coverage nor protection from harmful reflective rays from sunglasses and water surfaces. Moreover, such products are not sufficient under power and in extreme conditions (e.g., as wind and high speeds in boats).

#According to one embodiment, a hooded sun shield is provided to shield the face, neck and head from harmful sun rays during outdoor activities. In such an embodiment, the hooded sun shield comprises a two-piece configuration, including a head piece and a detachable mask piece. The head piece is fit over a head and includes side ventilation to provide air flow to the head. The mask piece is attachable, coupled to the head piece and comprises side vents to provide for comfortable breathing, airflow through the sides and reduction of fogging of eyewear. In a further embodiment, a nose piece is provided to sit on a top edge of the mask piece to operate as a guard against sun glare; thus reducing the effect of reflective sunburn. In a further embodiment, nose piece is configured to eliminate fogging of sunglasses worn by the user.

#In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.