Utility scarf

Abstract

A scarf assembly includes a length of fabric extending longitudinally and gathered laterally at a medial neck-engaging portion. A respiratory mask is secured to the interior surface of the neck portion and stored there, to be deployed and circumscribing the head and lowering it to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer. A neck pillow supported on the neck portion includes a tubular sleeve to secure a resilient pillow. A pair of hand pockets are formed in the distal end portions of the scarf. A length adjustment arrangement at each distal end enables the scarf to be adjusted for use by people within a wide range of height and girth.

A secondary opening is provided at the inner end of each hand pocket for a hand to reach through each pocket and extend the fingers through the zipper closure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of the priority date of Provisional Application 62 / 286,870, filed Jan. 25, 2016.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]Not applicable.SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC ON CD[0003]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Field of the Invention[0005]This invention relates to a scarf construction and, more particularly, to a scarf that is utilitarian in several aspects while also being warm, soft, and comfortable when worn in the typical fashion about the neck of a person.[0006]Description of Related Art[0007]There are many scarf constructions known in the prior art and commercially available that provide some function in addition to providing warmth and support to the neck of the wearer. Some scarves include pockets sewn into the distal end portions to provide warmth to the hands as well as to store small personal items. Others have some form of augmented neck support, such as a longitudinally extending neck pillow...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention generally comprises a scarf assembly that incorporates several functional features in addition to comprising a warm, soft, and comfortable garment adapted to be worn in the typical fashion about the neck of a person. The scarf includes a length of fabric extending longitudinally and gathered laterally at a medial portion thereof. The medial gathered portion (hereinafter, neck portion) is adapted to impinge on the back of the neck of the wearer, with opposed ends depending therefrom or wrapped and / or tied about the neck. One functional feature is the provision of a respiratory mask secured to the interior surface of the neck portion and stored within a plurality of loops secured to the neck portion and spaced therealong. The mask may be deployed merely by pulling the mask from the loops and circumscribing the head and lowering it to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer. When there is no need for the mask, the wearer may fold up the mask and slide it into the loops of the neck portion. When the scarf is used in typical fashion the neck portion impinges on the back of the neck and the mask is concealed from passersby. Thus the mask is quickly available, easily donned and removed, and unseen when stored, so that it causes no social disapproval or unwelcome attention to the user.

[0011]A further feature of the scarf construction is the provision of a neck pillow supported on the interior surface of the neck portion of the scarf, adjacent to the respiratory mask. The fabric is arranged and sewn to form a tubular sleeve extending longitudinally, with closed distal ends, and a pocket opening at the exterior surface enables a resilient pillow component to be removably placed in the sleeve. A zipper or hook and loop closure is provided to retain the pillow within the pocket opening. In typical use the pillow impinges on the back and sides of the neck, providing support and comfort to the neck of the wearer.

[0012]The scarf also includes a pair of flat pockets formed in the distal end portions of the fabric, each pocket having an opening at the outer edge of the respective distal end portion of the scarf. The pockets are formed and positioned so that the wearer may place the hands into the pockets for warmth. In addition, the wearer may rest some of the weight of the arms on the hands within the pockets, causing the scarf to pull with some weight on the neck portion and urge the pillow to impinge on the neck. This action augments the effectiveness of the neck pillow. At the same time, some of the weight of the arms is off-loaded from the shoulders and transferred by the scarf to be directed from the neck portion down the spine, which is therapeutic for some individuals. In addition, the pockets may also be used for storage of personal items and the like.

[0013]A further embodiment of the scarf includes the provision of a length adjustment arrangement at each distal end of the scarf. An elastic cord is sewn into the edge binding seam and extends from the bottom of the pocket opening to a point on the edge seam above the pocket. A sliding cord lock is secured to the elastic cord, and may be slidably placed along the cord and secured by a spring-loaded clamp, as is known in the prior art. The cord locks may be placed so that the bottom edge of the pocket adjustably raised to be perfectly placed for the wearer to insert the hand and rest the hand on the bottom of the pocket. This feature enables the scarf to be adjusted for use by people within a wide range of height and girth.

[0014]A further improvement to the flat pockets is the provision of a secondary opening at the inner end of each flat pocket. The secondary openings may be provided with zipper closures, each extending along the edge binding seam of the inner longitudinal edge, that may remain closed to define a secure pocket, or opened to allow the wearer to reach through each pocket and extend the fingers through the zipper closure. Thus the wearer may retain the hands within the pockets and maintain the relationship between the scarf, arm support, and neck pillow, while extending at least a portion of the wearer's hands from the pockets to carry out simple manual tasks such as holding a book or tablet device while reading, opening a door, or the like.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, the wearer may rest some of the weight of the arms on the hands within the pockets, causing the scarf to pull with some weight on the neck portion and urge the pillow to impinge on the neck.

Images