US 5,035,006 AGranted

Convertible mask, ascot and visor garment and method of conversion therebetween

AssigneeHot Cheeks, Inc.

InventorsMary N. Hetz, Bruce J. Brothers

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Abstract

A garment selectively convertible between several different fashions, such as an ascot, a face and neck mask, and a visor, includes a body or bib portion having a protruding distal edge and opposing side edges. The garment further includes a nose portion having a proximate edge opposite the distal edge, and a breathing vent portion of a foraminous fabric interconnecting the body and nose portions. Two opposing side straps extend outwardly from each of the side edges to secure the garment on a wearer. The side straps may each have a mating portion of a VELCRO hook and eye fabric fastener means attached thereto for releasably interconnecting the straps to secure the garment on a wearer and to provide incremental size adjustment of the garment. Alternatively, the side straps may be permanently interconnected by an elastic insert for resiliently securing the garment on a wearer. The body, nose and strap portions of the garment are preferably formed by inner and outer layers of fabric, with the outer layer being of a water repellant or weather resistant fabric, and the inner layer being a soft fabric, such as a cotton fleece. A method is also provided of converting such a garment between uses as an ascot, a face mask, and a visor.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A garment selectively convertible between an ascot, a face and neck mask, and a visor, comprising:

a body portion having a protruding distal edge and opposing side edges, the body portion being of a size and shape sufficient to interchangeably form a bill portion of a visor, a draping portion of an ascot, and a neck portion of a mask;
a nose portion having a proximate edge opposite the distal edge;
a breathing vent portion of a foraminous fabric interconnecting the body and nose portions, the breathing vent portion being located and shaped such that the breathing vent portion is exposed when the garment is worn as a mask and covered when the garment is worn as an ascot and as a visor;
and
securing means adjacent the side edges for securing the garment on a wearer's head, about a wearer's neck, and over a wearer's face;
the body portion, nose portion, breathing vent portion and securing means being positioned in relation to each other such that, in a first fashion, with the garment worn as an ascot, the securing means extends around a wearer's neck and the body portion drapes downwardly from the securing means to cover a portion of the wearer's chest;
in a second fashion, with the garment worn as a face and neck mask, the securing means extends around a wearer's head, the nose portion receives a wearer's nose and the breathing vent portion allows ease of breathing, and the body portion drapes downwardly from the securing means to cover a portion of the wearer's face and neck;
and in a third fashion, with the garment worn as a visor, the garment is folded approximately parallel to the proximate edge and substantially along the nose portion to form a front band portion of the visor, the securing means extends from the front band portion around a wearer's head, and the body portion extends outwardly from the wearer's head and over the wearer's eyes to form a bill portion of the visor, with the bill portion being adjustable in length from the front band portion to the distal edge depending on the position of the fold along the nose portion.

5 more elements

A method of converting a garment between uses as an ascot, a face mask, and a visor, comprising the steps of:

providing a garment of a fabric material comprising:
(a) a substantially flat bib portion,
(b) a nose portion and a breathing vent portion adjacent the bib portion, and
(c) securing means adjacent the nose and breathing vent portions for securing the garment on a wearer;
orienting the bib portion to hang downwardly from the nose portion and securing the securing means about a wearer's neck when the garment is to be used as an ascot;
orienting the bib portion to hang downwardly from the nose portion, receiving a wearer's nose with the nose portion, and securing the securing means about a wearer's head when the garment is to be used as a face mask;
folding the garment along the nose portion so the securing means and a part of the nose portion serve as a headband portion and the bib portion serves as a bill portion, placing the bill portion to extend outwardly from a position over a wearer's eyes, and securing the securing means about a wearer's head when the garment is to be used as a visor.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.