US20250072544A1

US20250072544A1 - Balaclava

Info

Publication number: US20250072544A1
Application number: US18/242,657
Authority: US
Inventors: Ted Heppner; Cole Heppner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-09-06
Filing date: 2023-09-06
Publication date: 2025-03-06

Abstract

An improved balaclava can include a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head and an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover, wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to at least partially cover a user's mouth and nose region. The injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region. The injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion, wherein the one or more vents are arranged to direct exhaled air and moisture in a generally downward direction and away from the user's eyes when the balaclava is worn.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments generally relate to the field of balaclavas and similar cold weather covers.

BACKGROUND

Balaclavas and similar cold weather covers commonly include fabric such as neoprene fabric to cover at least a user's mouth and nose region. However, such fabric can be water absorbent which is undesirable in cold weather as water can freeze inside the fabric and draw body heat from a user.
Other cold weather covers, such as snowmobile helmets, can have non-fabric facepieces that do not provide a seal around at least a user's mouth and nose region, resulting in the condensation of moisture or water vapor in undesired locations inside the helmet.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In general, the disclosed balaclava can include a head cover attachable to an injection molded facepiece that covers at least a user's mouth and nose region. The facepiece can include a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least around the user's mouth and nose region. The facepiece can define one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion of the facepiece, wherein the one or more vents are arranged to direct exhaled air and moisture in a generally downward direction and away from the user's eyes when the balaclava is worn. Thus, the balaclava can prevent exhaled air and moisture from fogging eyewear.
Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. The detailed description and enumerated variations, while disclosing optional variations, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by references to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate illustrative depictions of a balaclava as disclosed herein;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate illustrative depictions of a facepiece as disclosed herein;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate illustrative depictions of a fastener as disclosed herein; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an illustrative depiction of a facepiece being attached to a head cover by a fastener, as disclosed herein.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the drawings may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described product or methods of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood from there.
It is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components and procedures related to the products. Accordingly, the product and components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In general, the disclosed balaclava can include a head cover attachable to a facepiece that covers at least a user's mouth and nose region. In some embodiments, the facepiece can include a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region. The facepiece can be pliable to facilitate in the forming of the seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region.
In some embodiments, the balaclava can further include first and second fasteners to attach the facepiece to the head cover. In some embodiments, the balaclava can further include a neck cover attached to the head cover to at least partially cover a user's neck. In some embodiments, the balaclava can further include a torso cover attached to the neck cover to at least partially cover a user's torso. In some embodiments, the balaclava can further include a third fastener that is adapted to pull at least two portions of a backside of the head cover together, which pulls the sides of the facepiece apart and toward a user's face to form a tighter seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region. In some embodiments, the third fastener can include a cord and a cord clamp, wherein the cord is pulled through the at least two portions of the backside of the head cover, and wherein two ends of the cord are pulled through the cord clamp.
In some embodiments, the facepiece can define one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion of the facepiece, wherein the one or more vents are arranged to direct exhaled air and moisture in a generally downward direction. In some embodiments, the one or more vents are arranged to direct exhaled air and moisture toward the user's torso. In some embodiments, the one or more vents are arranged to direct exhaled air and moisture toward the torso cover. When the balaclava is worn, a user can wipe away any condensed moisture that accumulated at the one or more vents.
In some embodiments, the facepiece can be water-resistant or waterproof. In some embodiments, the facepiece can be hydrophobic to reduce the condensation of any exhaled water vapor or moisture on the facepiece and/or to prevent any condensed moisture from being absorbed by the facepiece. In some embodiments, the facepiece may not be water absorbent to prevent any condensed moisture from being absorbed by the facepiece. In some embodiments, the facepiece can be non-porous. The facepiece can be an injection molded facepiece. The facepiece can be wind-resistant or wind-proof.
The facepiece can be made primarily of any suitable material that facilitates in forming a seal at least partially around a user's mouth and nose region. For example, in some embodiments, the facepiece can be primarily made of a thermoplastic elastomer. In some embodiments, the facepiece can be primarily made of a styrenic block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer. In some embodiments, the facepiece can have a hardness in the range from approximately 25 Shore A to approximately 35 Shore A. In some embodiments, to prevent warmer temperatures within the facepiece, the facepiece can be colored white to reduce the amount of sunlight absorbed by the facepiece during use.
The head cover, the neck cover, and/or the torso cover can comprise any suitable material that facilitates in insulating and protecting at least the user's head, neck, and torso regions from cold weather. For example, the head cover, the neck cover, and/or the torso cover can comprise neoprene, wool, cotton, polyester, nylon, spandex, any combination thereof, or any other suitable material, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the head cover, the neck cover, and the torso cover can comprise fleece, polar fleece, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the facepiece, the head cover, the neck cover, and/or the torso cover can have thicknesses in the range from approximately 1 mm to 5 mm. In some embodiments, the head cover, the neck cover, and the torso cover can include any combination of layered materials. In some embodiments, the head cover, the neck cover, and the torso cover can be attached by sewing parts of them together. The head cover, the neck cover, and the torso cover can be water-resistant or waterproof. The head cover, the neck cover, and/or the torso cover can be wind-resistant or wind-proof. The balaclava can be worn under any other cold weather head covers, such as snowmobile helmets.
The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products, and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products, and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and are still considered to be within the scope of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a balaclava 100 can include a head cover 102 adapted to at least partially cover a user's head. The balaclava can include a facepiece 104 attached to the head cover 102 by a fastener 110, the facepiece 104 adapted to at least partially cover a user's mouth and nose region. The balaclava 100 can include a tubular neck cover 106 attached to the head cover 102 to cover the user's neck. The balaclava 100 can include a torso cover 108 attached to the neck cover 106 to partially cover the user's torso, including the user's upper chest region and upper back region. The facepiece 104 can include a tubular portion 112 that extends in a generally downward direction, and for example, toward the torso cover 108. The tubular portion 112 is arranged to direct exhaled air and moisture in a generally downward direction and out of one or more vents 126. For example, the tubular portion 112 can be arranged to direct exhaled air and moisture toward the torso cover 108. In some embodiments, the tubular portion 112 is arranged so that condensed moisture within the tubular portion 112 gravitates toward the one or more vents 126. In some embodiments, when worn, the balaclava 100 can completely cover the user's head except for the user's eyes and the facial area within approximately 1 to 2 inches from the user's eyes to protect a majority of the user's facial features from cold weather.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the balaclava 100 can have at least two flaps 114 attached at a backside 112 of the head cover 102 generally opposite the facepiece 104 of the balaclava 100. In some embodiments, the at least two flaps 114 can be attached to the head cover 102 at seams 124 that are separated by a distance 120. The balaclava 100 can further include a cord 116 that is pulled through holes 122 in the at least two flaps 114, wherein the cord 116 has two ends pulled through a cord clamp 118. When the mask is worn, a user can pull the ends of the cord 116 while opening the cord clamp 118 and moving the cord clamp 118 closer to the holes 122, which tightens the facepiece 104 against the user's face. The user can release the cord clamp 118 to lock the cord clamp 118 at any desired position along the cord 116.
FIG. 2A shows a back view of a facepiece 200, which can include a relatively wider portion 202 that converges to a relatively narrower portion 204, and a tubular portion 206 positioned below the relatively wider portion 202 and extending along a downward direction 214 from the relatively wider portion 202. The facepiece 200 can have a sealing portion 208 that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around a user's mouth and nose region. The seal can be a fluid seal. The sealing portion 208 can include a lip 210 that extends inward and over a cavity 212 defined by the facepiece 200. The cavity 212 can be in fluid communication with an inside of the tubular portion 206. The facepiece 200 is generally concave to at least partially form the cavity 212 and to accommodate the facial features of a user. When the facepiece 200 is worn, the narrower portion 204 can be aligned with the user's nose region, the cavity 212 can be aligned with the user's mouth, and the wider portion 202 can be aligned with the user's chin region. As shown, the tubular portion 206 can extend downward and below the sealing portion 208.
Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the facepiece 200 can include a curved fold 216 along a periphery thereof for conforming to the facial features of a user, and for forming the lip 210. The facepiece 200 can have a set 218 of holes 220 in one side 222 thereof for receiving a first corresponding set of pins (e.g., 304 in FIG. 3A) of a fastener (e.g., 110 in FIG. 1A, 300 in FIG. 3A), and another set of holes 218 in the other side 224 for receiving a second corresponding set of pins of another fastener.
Referring to FIG. 2D, the narrower portion 204 is recessed to accommodate a user's nose region. The tubular portion 206 can define one or more vents 226 at an end 228 thereof.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a fastener 300 for attaching a side (e.g., 222, 224 in FIG. 2B) of a facepiece (e.g., 104 in FIG. 1A, 200 in FIGS. 2A-2D) to a head cover (e.g., 102 in FIG. 1A) is shown. The fastener 300 can include a set of pins 304 having heads 306, wherein the pins 304 are attached along a length of a strip 302. The pins 304 extend from the strip 302 in the same direction.
Referring to FIG. 4 , a head cover 402 of a balaclava 400 can be attached to a side 416 of a facepiece 404 by inserting heads 412 of a set of pins 418 of a fastener 406 through a corresponding set of holes 410 in the head cover 402 and through another corresponding set of holes 408 in the facepiece 404. The arrow 414 indicates directional movement of the fastener 406 toward the holes 410 in the head cover and the holes 408 in the facepiece 404. The size of the heads 412, the size of the holes 408, and the size of the holes 410 are selected so that the head cover 402 and the facepiece 404 restrain the heads 412 and prevent the heads 412 from slipping out of the holes 408 in the facepiece 404 and the holes 410 in the head cover 402. As the material in the head cover 402 and the facepiece 404 can be elastic, the holes 408 and 410 can be made smaller to better restrain the heads 412 and to better attach the side 416 of the facepiece 404 to the head cover 402. The other side of the facepiece (e.g., 222 in FIG. 2B) can be attached to the head cover 402 with another fastener 406. When the balaclava is worn, a user can pull either side of the facepiece 404 away from their face by simply removing one of the fasteners 406 and reattaching the facepiece 404 later if desired.
The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products, and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products, and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and are still considered to be within the scope of the invention.
According to variation 1, a balaclava can include a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head; an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover; wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to cover a user's mouth and nose region; wherein the injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region; and wherein the injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion.
Variation 2 can include the balaclava as in variation 1, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.
Variation 3 can include the balaclava as in variation 1, further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck.
Variation 4 can include the balaclava as in variation 3, further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.
Variation 5 can include the balaclava as in variation 1, wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece.
Variation 6 can include the balaclava as in variation 1, wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof.
Variation 7 can include the balaclava as in variation 1, wherein the head cover comprises neoprene, and wherein the facepiece is primarily made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
According to variation 8, a balaclava can include a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head; an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover; wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to cover a user's mouth and nose region; wherein the injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal around the user's mouth and nose region; and wherein the injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion.
Variation 9 can include the balaclava as in variation 8, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.
Variation 10 can include the balaclava as in variation 8, further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck.
Variation 11 can include the balaclava as in variation 10, further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.
Variation 12 can include the balaclava as in variation 8, wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece.
Variation 13 can include the balaclava as in variation 8, wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof.
Variation 14 can include the balaclava as in variation 8, wherein the head cover comprises neoprene, and wherein the facepiece is primarily made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
According to variation 15, a balaclava can include a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head; an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover; wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to at least partially cover a user's mouth and nose region; wherein the injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region; and wherein the injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion.
Variation 16 can include the balaclava as in variation 15, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.
Variation 17 can include the balaclava as in variation 15, further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck.
Variation 18 can include the balaclava as in variation 17, further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.
Variation 19 can include the balaclava as in variation 15, wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece.
Variation 20 can include the balaclava as in variation 15, wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof.
Variation 21 can include the balaclava as in variation 15, wherein the head cover comprises neoprene, and wherein the facepiece is primarily made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for anyone of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations, and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible considering the above teachings without departing from the following claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A balaclava, comprising:

a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head;

an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover;

wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to cover a user's mouth and nose region;

wherein the injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region; and

wherein the injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion.

2. The balaclava of claim 1, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.

3. The balaclava of claim 1, further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck.

4. The balaclava of claim 3, further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.

5. The balaclava of claim 1, wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece.

6. The balaclava of claim 1, wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof.

7. The balaclava of claim 1, wherein the head cover comprises neoprene, and wherein the facepiece is primarily made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

8. A balaclava, comprising:

a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head;

an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover;

wherein the injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal around the user's mouth and nose region; and

9. The balaclava of claim 8, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.

10. The balaclava of claim 8, further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck.

11. The balaclava of claim 10, further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.

12. The balaclava of claim 8, wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece.

13. The balaclava of claim 8, wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof.

14. The balaclava of claim 8, wherein the head cover comprises neoprene, and wherein the facepiece is primarily made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

15. A balaclava, comprising:

a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head;

an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover;

wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to at least partially cover a user's mouth and nose region;

16. The balaclava of claim 15, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.

17. The balaclava of claim 15, further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck.

18. The balaclava of claim 17, further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents.

19. The balaclava of claim 15, wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece.

20. The balaclava of claim 15, wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof.