GB2558168A

GB2558168A - Flexible hood peak

Info

Publication number: GB2558168A
Application number: GB1600906.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Dannah Richard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-18
Filing date: 2016-01-18
Publication date: 2018-07-11
Also published as: GB201600906D0

Abstract

A hood 1 for a jacket, more particularly to a hood with a peak, which possesses an internal volume large enough to accommodate a helmet being worn by a person, and is also adjustable to reduce the internal volume when a helmet is not being worn. The hood comprises a crown portion 2 for covering the users head or helmet, a rear portion, side portions 3 that extend downwardly from the crown, a peak portion 4 comprising an insert 5 in the form of a flexible sheet having an inside edge and an outside edge, wherein the inside edge is capable of forming to the users forehead and the outside edge is attached to an inner surface of the peak portion. The insert is preferably a plastics material. The rear portion preferably includes a hood adjustment system utilizing first and second cords 9, 10.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Flexible hood peak Abstract Title: Hood for a jacket (57) A hood 1 for a jacket, more particularly to a hood with a peak, which possesses an internal volume large enough to accommodate a helmet being worn by a person, and is also adjustable to reduce the internal volume when a helmet is not being worn. The hood comprises a crown portion 2 for covering the users head or helmet, a rear portion, side portions 3 that extend downwardly from the crown, a peak portion 4 comprising an insert 5 in the form of a flexible sheet having an inside edge and an outside edge, wherein the inside edge is capable of forming to the users forehead and the outside edge is attached to an inner surface of the peak portion. The insert is preferably a plastics material. The rear portion preferably includes a hood adjustment system utilizing first and second cords 9, 10.

Fig 1.

Fig 2.

Fig 3.

i

Fig 4.

1.

13a.

13d

Fig 5.

Fig 6.

Flexible Hood Peak

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hood for a jacket and more particularly to a hood with a peak.

Background to the Invention

When a hood is used for mountain use a helmet is sometimes required which means that the hood must possess an internal volume that is large enough to accommodate the helmet. However, the hood should also be adjustable so that the internal volume can be reduced when a helmet is not being worn. Such hoods typically also comprise peaks. A peak is a stiffened part of the hood which is used to protect a user’s face and eyes from the weather, e.g. wind, rain and snow. It also functions to keep the hood fabric away from the face.

A variety of methods have been used to stiffen the hood fabric in the past. For instance, the use of extra stitching and/or the provision of additional fabric may be used to increase the stiffness of the hood fabric. Alternatively, many hoods nowadays comprise wire stiffened peaks in which a combination of copper wire and glues are used to stiffen the fabric. While wire stiffened peaks provide adequate protection from the weather, a known disadvantage is that they require a lot adjustment and re-adjustment in order to obtain and maintain the desired peak shape. It is also known that this problem is exacerbated when the user transitions from wearing a helmet to not wearing a helmet and vice-versa.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hood with a peak that is easy to adjust.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a hood with a peak that does not require frequent re-adjustment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hood with a peak that maintains its shape when a user transitions from wearing a helmet to not wearing a helmet and vice versa.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hood comprising a crown portion for covering the crown of a user’s head or helmet, a rear portion, side portions that extend downwardly from the crown portion and a peak portion comprising an insert in the form of a flexible sheet having an inside edge and an outside edge, wherein the inside edge is capable of forming to the user’s forehead and the outside edge is attached to an inner surface of the peak portion. When the peak portion comprised the insert in the form of a flexible sheet, i.e. as opposed to conventional means for stiffening hoods such as wires and glues, it was found that the desired peak shape could be obtained more quickly and that the shape could be maintained for longer periods without the need for further adjustment. Further, since the peak portion is formed separately and thereafter attached to the hood, the flexible sheet insert only stiffens the peak portion and does not stiffen the remainder of the hood. This has the benefit that the hood can be made to fit any head shape or any helmet shape and that the peak will always be capable of fitting to the user’s forehead. Since the outside edge of the insert is attached to an inner surface of the peak portion, the shape of the peak portion can be adjusted simply by placing the insert under tension. This changes the insert from a two-dimensional shape to a three-dimensional shape which enables the peak to deflect wind and rain away from the eyes. Due to the inside edge of the insert being free it is capable of forming to the user’s forehead. The term “free” in the context of the present invention means that the inside edge is not attached to the hood fabric (unlike the outside edge of the insert). This allows the peak to better form to the user’s forehead when the hood is being worn and the insert is placed under tension.

The outside edge of the insert may be attached to the hood fabric by stitching, heat bonding or the like.

The insert is preferably dimensioned so that in use the peak portion radially extends out over the user’s eyes without impairing the user’s visibility.

Preferably the insert is pre-shaped.

Preferably the insert is curved. When the insert is placed under tension the corners and the position of the curve guide the hood around the face to protect the temples of a user’s head. This also prevents heat loss from within the jacket to which the hood is attached. It was also found that curved inserts were able to form better to a user’s forehead when the insert was placed under tension. Further, it was found that curved inserts were very suitable for deflecting wind and rain away from a user’s eyes and that good visibility could be maintained even when the insert was placed under tension.

The insert may be crescent-shaped or substantially crescent shaped.

Preferably the insert comprises a plastics material. The insert may comprise a polyester, preferably a high density polyester, or more preferably polyethylene terephthalate. The use of a high density polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate is very suitable for use an insert material because it will remain supple and be able to flex with the user even when the insert is subjected to extremely cold conditions, e.g. subzero conditions. This has the advantage that the hood will be able to be donned faster and will enable repeated donning in a short period of time if necessary. Further, the use of a high density polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate also has the advantage that it does not thermally degrade when exposed to high temperatures, e.g. when laser cutting the hood fabric into the desired shape or when passing the hood fabric under taping machines that blow hot air onto glues and bonding tape during the construction of the hood. In addition, such materials are flexible which enables the user to store a jacket comprising the hood in a small space such as a rucksack without damaging the insert. They are also stiff enough to resist wind and rain during use, meaning the shape of the peak will be maintained enabling it to perform its function of protecting the user’s eyes from the weather.

Alternatively, the insert may comprise polyethylene or high density polyethylene.

In a preferred embodiment the rear portion of the hood may comprise a hood adjustment system for adjusting the shape of the hood. For instance, a user may have to adjust the internal volume of the hood if the user is wearing a helmet so as to accommodate the helmet within the hood. Alternatively, a user may wish to tighten the hood around the user’s face so as to provide improved protection against the elements,

e.g. wind, rain and snow etc. By locating the hood adjustment system to the rear of the hood, the adjustment system is easy to locate in extreme weather conditions. A further benefit of locating the hood adjustment system to the rear of the hood is that the risk of the user being whipped in the eyes or face by cords employed to adjust the hood is avoided. Further, the risk of the cords snagging is reduced.

The hood adjustment system may comprise a cord for adjusting the crown portion, hereafter referred to as the “crown cord”. The crown cord comprises first and second ends and may be formed from an elastic material. It was found that the use of an elastic material makes donning and removal of the hood easier once the desired peak positon has been obtained.

The hood may comprise cord attachment portions located at opposite sides of the peak portion. Preferably the cord attachment portions are located proximal to the corners of the insert. The first and second ends of the crown cord may be attached to the cord attachment portions to form a loop around the user’s head when the hood is being worn. The crown cord does not encircle the user’s head. Such an arrangement enables the peak position and shape to be adjusted simply by placing the crown cord under tension in a single tug of the crown cord. In addition, since the crown cord does not extend across the user’s forehead the hood is more comfortable for the user to wear.

The hood adjustment system may comprise a cord for adjusting the hood 15 around the user’s face, hereafter referred to as the “face cord”. The face cord comprises first and second ends and may be formed from an elastic material. The use of an elastic material is preferred since a better seal around the face can be obtained when the second cord is placed under tension.

The cord attachment portions preferably comprise an aperture. The first and 20 second ends of the face cord may be threaded through the apertures located on either side of the hood and may be attached proximal to fastening means located at the front of a jacket collar to which the hood is attached.

Preferably the fastening means comprises a slider and a zip which together enable the hood to be secured around the user’s head in single motion. Alternatively, the fastening means may comprise buttons.

Preferably the crown cord and/or face cord comprise a locking arrangement for 5 securing the cord once it has been drawn to maintain the desired tension to the peak and/or to a hood portion proximal to the user’s face. Toggle locks are particularly suitable for this purpose due to their ease of use.

Preferably the crown cord and the face cord are adjusted independently.

Preferably the rear portion of the hood comprises reflective elements. The 10 reflective elements may be located centrally and may be located above the hood adjustment system. Preferably the reflective element is in the form of a strip of reflective tape that may be stitched or glued to the rear of the hood. This has the advantage that the user donning the hood can be identified in poor light conditions or in the dark by a person travelling behind them.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a jacket comprising the hood according to the first aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the jacket according to the second aspect of the invention may, as appropriate, incorporate any or all of the features described in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The jacket may be made from natural fibres and/or synthetic materials.

Preferably the jacket is made of a water proof breathable laminate such as those well known in the art.

The jacket may comprise fastening means such as a slider and a zip. The slider and the zip aid the user in securing the hood to the user’s head in a single motion instead of multiple adjustments which are typically required in existing garments. The zip is preferably formed from plastics and may be provided with a protective coating, both of which extend the working lifetime of the zip, e.g. compared to conventional coil coated zips which are prone to corrode overtime when continuously being exposed to rain and snow. The slider preferably comprises a cord puller which enables the user to easily locate and grasp the slider when gloves are being worn. The zip may additionally comprise a zip covering for protecting the chin and skin of the user. Preferably the zip covering comprises a soft synthetic fabric. The use of a zip covering is advantageous particularly in cold conditions where the skin on a user’s face is more sensitive.

The jacket may comprise a collar which is angled away from the user’s face.

This causes the zip to lean forward which allows the hood to sit more naturally with the chin.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof 15 will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a hood with a peak portion comprising an insert in the form of a flexible sheet.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the flexible sheet insert.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the flexible sheet insert and the cords of the hood adjustment system.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the cord attachment portion.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the rear portion of the hood.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a cord lock.

Figure 1 shows a hood 1 according to the present invention. The hood 1 comprises a crown portion 2, side portions 3 which extend downwardly from the crown 5 portion 2, a rear portion (not shown) and a peak portion 4 that comprises an insert 5 in the form a flexible sheet. The peak portion 4 is manufactured separately and is attached to and projects forwardly from the crown portion 2. The side portions 3, the peak portion 4 and a collar 6 together define a face opening 7.

Figure 2 shows the pre-shaped insert 5 that is used in accordance with the 10 present invention to provide stiffness to the peak portion 4 of the hood 1. As shown in Figure 2 the insert 5 is curved with the inside edge 5a being concave in shape and the outside edge 5b being convex in shape. In this embodiment the insert 5 is formed from a sheet of Mylar (RTM) which is a polyethylene terephthalate. Only the outside edge 5b of insert 5 is attached to an inner surface of the peak portion 4 fabric, e.g. by stitching, while the inside edge 5a is left free so that it can easily form to the forehead of the user when tension is applied to the insert 5 in use.

As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the hood 1 also comprises a hood adjustment system 8. The hood adjustment system 8 comprises a cord 9 for adjusting the crown portion 2 and a cord 10 for adjusting the hood around the user’s face. In this embodiment both the crown cord 9 and the face cord 10 are made of an elastic material.

The hood adjustment system also comprises cord attachment portions 11 located and attached to the peak portion 4 fabric proximal to the corners of the insert 5 (Figure 4). The cord attachment portions 11 also comprise an aperture 12. As best shown in

Figure 5 the hood adjustment system 8 is located to the rear of the hood and comprises four openings 13a-13d. In this embodiment one end of the face cord 10a is threaded through opening 13a while the other end 10b is threaded through opening 13b. The face cord ends 10a, 10b run along internal channels on opposite sides of the hood 1 until they each reach cord attachment portions 11. The face cord ends 10a, 10b pass through apertures 12, run down the perimeter of the face opening 7 and are attached to a portion of the collar 6 proximal to fastening means 14 (stitching, heat bonding, gluing etc), which in this embodiment comprises a slider 15 and zip 16. In a similar fashion crown cord ends 9a and 9b are threaded through openings 13c and 13d and run along internal 10 channels on opposite sides of the hood 1 until they each reach cord attachment portions

11. The crown cord 9 and the face cord 10 may run along the same channel or that may run along separate channels that run parallel to each other. Instead of being passed through apertures 12, cord ends 9a, 9b are attached to the cord attachment portion 11 by suitable attaching means, e.g. stitching, gluing or heat bonding. Both the crown cord

9 and the face cord form a loop that extends around the sides and the rear of the hood

1. Notably, both the crown cord 9 and the face cord 10, do not pass across the user’s forehead.

Crown cord 9 and face cord 10 are each provided with a cord lock 17 which enables the cords 9, 10 to be retained in a tightened condition and for tension to be released when desired. In the present embodiment toggle locks which comprise a barrel 18, a toggle 19 and a spring 20 (Figure 6) have been used as cord locks 17. When the toggle 19 and the spring 20 are squeezed together within the barrel 18 tension is released from the cords 9, 10 and the cord lock 17 can move freely up and down the cords 9, 10. Conversely, when no pressure is being exerted on the toggle 19, the spring 20 acts against the cord 9, 10 so that the cord lock 17 stays in place. As best shown in Figure

5, each cord lock 17 is tethered to the rear portion 21 of the hood by webbing 22 and each cord 9, 10 comprises a retaining element 23, preferably in the form of a bead, for retaining the cord lock 17 on the cord.

In use the user can adjust the position and the shape of the peak portion 4 by pulling the crown cord 9 located at the rear of the hood 1. In doing so the insert 5 is placed under tension which causes the inside edge 5a to form to the user’s forehead and the body of the insert 5 to transition from a two-dimensional planer object to a threedimensional object that is capable of shielding the user’s eyes from the weather. The desired peak position and shape can be maintained simply by squeezing the toggle 19 and the spring 20 together, sliding the cord lock 17 along the cord 9 until it abuts the openings 13a and 13b and releasing the toggle so as secure the cord lock in place.

Should the user wish to adjust the positon of the peak portion 4, e.g. due to changing weather conditions, then this may be achieved simply by squeezing the toggle 19 and the spring 20 together, sliding the cord lock 17 away from the openings 13a and 13b, adjusting the tension applied to the cord 9 as appropriate and returning the cord lock 17 to its position adjacent the openings 13a and 13b.

By pulling the face cord 10 located to the rear of the hood 1, the hood region near the face opening 7 is tightened and the face cord ends 10a, 10b attached to the collar 6 cause the collar 6 to be drawn towards the user’s face. As with the crown cord

9, the position of the hood around the user’s face may be adjusted by adjusting the tension being applied to the cord 10. Once the desired hood position has been obtained the cord lock 17 is used to maintain the tension being applied to the face cord 10.

In this embodiment the crown cord 9 and the face cord 10 are be operated independently. For instance, when the user pulls the face cord 9 the shape and position of the peak portion is not substantially adjusted. Similarly, when the crown cord 9 is pulled, this does not result in the collar 6 being drawn towards the user’s face or the hood 1 being tightened near the face opening 7. Such a system enables the user to optimise the hood 1 position for any given weather condition.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hood comprising a crown portion for covering the crown of a user’s head or helmet, a rear portion, side portions that extend downwardly from the crown portion and a peak portion comprising an insert in the form of a flexible sheet 5 having an inside edge and an outside edge, wherein the inside edge is capable of forming to the user’s forehead and the outside edge is attached to an inner surface of the peak portion.

2. A hood according to claim 1, wherein the insert is pre-shaped.

3. A hood according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is curved.

10

4. A hood according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert comprises a plastics material.

5. A hood according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert comprises a polyester, preferably high density polyester.

6. A hood according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the inset comprises

15 polyethylene terephthalate.

7. A hood according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the insert comprises polyethylene, preferably high density polyethylene.

8. A hood according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear portion comprises a hood adjustment system.

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9. A hood according to claim 8, wherein the hood adjustment system comprises a first cord for adjusting the crown portion.

10. A hood according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the hood adjustment system comprises a second cord for adjusting the hood around the user’s face.

11. A hood according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein cord attachment portions are located on opposite sides of the peak portion.

5

12. A hood according to claim 11, wherein the cord attachment portions are located proximal to the corners of the insert.

13. A hood according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the cord attachment portions comprise an aperture.

14. A hood according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein one end of the first cord

10 is attached to the cord attachment portion.

15. A hood according to any one of claims 10-14, wherein the second cord extends through the aperture in the cord attachment portion.

16. A hood according to any one of claims 10-15, wherein one end of the second cord is attached proximal to fastening means located at the front of a collar to

15 which the hood is attached.

17. A hood according to any one of claims 9-16, wherein the first cord and the second cord comprise a cord lock.

18. A hood according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear portion comprises one or more reflective elements.

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19. A jacket comprising the hood according to any one of the preceding claims.

20. A jacket according to claim 19, wherein the jacket is a mountaineering jacket.

21. A jacket according to claim 20, wherein the jacket comprises a slider and a zip formed from plastics.

22. A jacket according to claim 21, wherein the zip is provided with a protective coating.

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23. A jacket according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the zip comprises a synthetic fibre covering.

24. A jacket according to any one of the claims 20-23, wherein the jacket comprises a collar that is angled away from the user’s chin.

25. A hood as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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