MULTI-FUNCTIONAL, NAVIGATIONAL ROADMAP NECK GAITER

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/698,326, filed Sep. 24, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE SUBJECT DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to functional apparel and, more particularly, to a neck wearable designed to provide multi-functional uses in various environmental conditions. The neck wearable is operatively associated with a tangible map to improved accessibility, durability, usability, and delivery of information in various environmental contexts of the information on the tangible map while simultaneously providing protection and warmth to the neck of wearer.

A neck gaiter or neck warmer is neckwear worn around the neck for warmth. It is usually a closed tube of fabric, often thick fleece, merino wool, synthetic wicking, or knit material, which is slipped on and off over the head to cover the entire neck and conserve body heat. Neck gaiters are commonly used in outdoor activities to protect the neck and face from cold, wind, and sun. Traditional neck gaiters, however, only provide protection from the elements; thus, offering only the single utilization of a clothing garment.

Separately, traditional tangible roadmaps-while useful especially in environments with no internet connection where internet-based mapping and navigational services are functionless-often suffer from durability issues, lack of detailed information, and difficulty in handling, storing, and, critically, accessing when in harsh environmental conditions.

For those who like to be active in rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions, such as skiers for instance, users may require different maps for different geographical areas or activities on a week to week or even day to day basis. Also, current devices for storage, handling and retrievable accessibility of traditional maps are yet another single-use item that must be handled and carried in and out of travel locations. Furthermore, traditional tangible roadmaps are not designed for easy interchangeability, which can be problematic as maps can become outdated or damaged to the point of being unusable, or when the user finds themselves in a terrain not covered by the previous map.

As can be seen, there is a need for a multipurpose neck wearable providing the protection of a traditional gaiter while configured to retrievably store one of innumerable interchangeable tangible maps in a manner that improves the tangible map's accessibility and durability in view of prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure provides multi-functional configurations of a neck wearable that addresses the challenges of using tangible maps by incorporating advanced materials, ergonomic design features, and comprehensive map data in a combination neck gaiter and map storage and retrievable display system that is adapted to interchangeably and selectively operatively associate with one tangible map of potentially innumerable tangible maps.

The subject disclosure addresses the prior art's disadvantageous lack of interchangeability by incorporating a tethering system that, in some embodiments, interconnects the neck gaiter portion to a selected tangible map to display after unnesting the tangible map from under said neck gaiter portion. The tethering system may include a neck tether extending from the neck gaiter, a map tether extending from the tangle map, and a clip portion that selectively interconnects the neck and map tethers, thereby allowing users to switch between different for different journeys.

Alternatively, the subject disclosure provides where an edge of the tangible map is fixedly connected to a complementary edge of the neck gaiter, whereby the tangible map can be unfurled from the neck gaiter the covers the tangible map in a nested condition. The resulting un-nested condition allows the wearer to visually inspect the tangible map before the wearer tucks the tangible map portion back underneath their neck gaiter when the wearer wants to safely store and protect the tangible map.

In one aspect of the subject disclosure, a multi-functional neck wearable includes the following: a tubular portion configured to snugly engage a neck of a human wearer; and a display portion configured to move between a furled position and an unfurled position, wherein the furled condition the display portion is moveable between an un-nested condition and a nested condition sandwiched between the neck of the human user and along an inner circumference of the tubular portion; and wherein the display portion joined to the tubular portion.

In another aspect of the subject disclosure, the multi-functional neck wearable further includes wherein the display portion embodies a tangible map, wherein the tangible map comprises substantially navigational information, wherein the display portion is detachably secured to the tubular portion; further providing a tethering system that interconnects the display portion to the tubular portion, wherein the tethering system comprises a neck tether extending from the tubular portion, and display tether extending from the display portion, and a clip for removably attaching the distal ends of the neck and display tethers, and wherein the tubular portion is constructed from a blend of high-performance materials, ensuring breathability, elasticity, moisture-wicking properties, and thermal insulation.

In yet another aspect of the subject disclosure, a multi-functional neck wearable having a neck portion configured to snugly engage a neck of a human wearer, the neck portion comprising a first head-receiving opening and a second head-receiving opening; a display portion having a first edge defining an edge of a tangible map; and a fixed condition between the first edge of the display portion and an edge of either the first or second head-receiving openings, wherein the fixed connection is sewing, wherein the display portion includes three-dimensional topographical features of a surrounding environment, and wherein the display portion is pliable to be tucked into a nested condition underneath the neck portion worn by the human wearer, and wherein the display portion is movable to an unnested condition outside of the neck portion so as to be viewable to the human wearer when wearing the neck portion.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present subject disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an un-nested condition of a neck portion 10 and a display portion 20, wherein the neck portion 10 is fixedly attached to the display portion 20 by way of a joint or fixed connection.

FIG. 1B is a section view of FIG. 1A, illustrating a neck edge 12 of the neck portion 10 attached to a display edge 22 of the display portion 20 by way of a fixed connection 50.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a nested condition of the neck portion 10 and the display portion 20, wherein the neck portion 10 overlaps or covers the display portion 20. Neck portion 10 need not be perfectly tubular, but rather neck portion 10 provides two spaced apart head-receiving openings 15 so that a human user can slide their head through both head-receiving openings 15 so that the body of the neck portion 10 may circumscribe the neck of the human user.

FIG. 2B is a section view of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure, illustrating the tethering system that interconnects the neck portion 10 and one display portion 20 of potentially innumerable interchangeable display portions.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT DISCLOSURE

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the subject disclosure, since the scope of the subject disclosure is best defined by the appended claims.

As used herein, directional terms such as upper, lower, upward, downwardly, top, left, right and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, such that the upward direction (or upper) being toward the top of the corresponding figures and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figures.

In the disclosure herein, the term ‘tangible map’ is used repeatedly to be economical and because such a term facilitates readers in quickly grasping the nature of the subject disclosure. And so, it is to be understood that the term ‘tangible map’ is not to be relegated to a symbolic depiction of spatial interrelationships between things, but rather ‘tangible map’ can mean any collection of information or data, textual or graphical fixed to a durable media.

A general overview of the various features of the subject disclosure will be provided, with a detailed description following. Broadly, an embodiment of the subject disclosure provides a multi-functional neck gaiter incorporating a retrievable tangible map stored in a nested condition under the neck gaiter, though adapted to be moved to an unnested condition so the wearer of the neck gaiter can visually inspect the tangible map without fear of losing the same.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A through 4, the subject disclosure may include a combination of a display element and neck wearable: a multi-functional neck gaiter 100. The multi-functional neck gaiter 100 provides a neck portion 10 configured to (a) cover and protect the wearer's neck in various environmental conditions, and (b) incorporate and shield a display portion 20 that is dimensioned, shaped and adapted to fold, tuck, gathered, slide or otherwise be urged underneath a worn neck portion 10 to engage an internal surface of the inner circumference of the neck portion 10.

Note, display portion 20 may display or incorporate a tangible map, wherein display portion 20 is designed to improve usability, durability, and information delivery of the information associated with the tangible map to the wearer of the multi-functional neck gaiter 100. In some embodiments, the display portion 20 conveys any information, data, or messages conveyable through a tangible medium.

Display portion 20 may be a flexible, durable medium that can be rolled, folded, or bent to be nested underneath the worn neck portion 10. Display portion 20 may be the tangible map made of material, such as fabric, to allow for easy folding, clumping, gathering or general storage. A fabric display portion 20 can be folded cleanly, or it can simply be put into a pocket (if not in the gaiter) in any form yet still have comfortability as if it were a wearable cloth. The display portion 20 may be removed (“un-nested”) from underneath the neck portion 10 by simple urging, pulling, etc.

The materials of the neck portion 10 and the display portion 20 are selected so that they easily slide relative to each other when moving between the nested condition and the un-nested condition; though, the materials may have sufficient frictional engagement with the neck portion 10 so that the display portion 20 is held in place (against the neck of the wearer) along an inner circumference of the neck portion 10. Even though some of the Figures show neck portion 10 and display portion 20 as perfectly cylindrical these two portions may be contoured or asymmetrical due to their form factor and/or the flexible and pliable nature of the material they are made from.

In some embodiments, display portion 20 may be permanently affixed to the inner surface of the neck portion 10, where the tangible map 20 is sewn directly into the fabric of the neck portion 10 (though other joining methods could be used, such as adhesive, Velcro®, zippers, snaps, magnetic closures, or the like). This embodiment is designed for users who prefer a fixed map or guide that cannot be removed or lost during use, ensuring constant accessibility. First edge 12 of the neck portion 10 is joined to a first edge 22 of the tangible map 20, as shown in FIG. 1B, so that in effect the two portions 10 and 20 can form one extendable structure. In this embodiment, the tangible map 20 may be pulled out (to the unnested condition) to be viewable by the wearer and then later tucked into the neck portion 10 (to the nested condition) for storage.

In another embodiment, the display portion 20 may be designed to be detachable, allowing users to interchange or replace display portions 20 (and thus the differing map data they incorporate) as needed. The display portion 20 in this embodiment may attach to the neck portion 10 by way of a tethering system. The tethering system may include a neck tether 32 (tethers may be made of flexible rope, cord, filament, etc.) extending from the neck portion 10, a display tether 34 extending from the display portion 20, and a clip 40 capable of joining ends of the neck tether 32 and the display tether 34. In this way, if a user wants to remove a first display portion 20, they can unclip it from the clip 40 and replace it with a second display portion 20, which can then be slid or urged under the neck portion 10 when it is to be stored. The neck tether 32 may be one to twenty inches in length. The display tether 32 may be one to twenty inches in length.

Neck portion 10 may feature dual-sided construction with different material types on opposing circumferential (e.g., inner or outer) sides. Each side may have different patterns or fabrics, thereby facilitating a reversible design that incorporates specific structural elements, such as hidden seams, tags, and closures, to ensure comfort and functionality regardless of which side is worn outward. Neck portion 10 may be constructed from a blend of high-performance materials, ensuring breathability, elasticity, moisture-wicking properties, and thermal insulation. Neck portion 10 may include features such as an adjustable fitting mechanism, including but not limited to a drawstring, magnetic closure, or elastic band, may or may not be integrated at the top and/or bottom ends of the neck portion 10, allowing users to achieve a snug fit and additional accessibility to the display portion 20. This adjustability ensures that neck portion 10 can be worn and utilized in various ways, such as a map, face mask, headband, or balaclava, catering to different needs and preferences.

Display portion 20 incorporates advanced materials for weather resistance, elasticity, ergonomic design features for ease of use, and an innovative folding mechanism for enhanced portability. The display portion 20 may also be customized with different layers of information, such as topographical maps, weather charts, or even instructional diagrams, catering to the user's specific needs. The display portion 20 may also be configured and dimensioned to wipe lenses of goggles worn by the wearer of the neck wearable 100.

In some embodiments, the display portion 20 embodies a tangible map that includes a detailed geographical or informational representation printed or attached onto the internal side of the neck portion 10 substrate, including but not limited to topographical features, geological features, political boundaries, trail systems, significant landmarks, flowcharts, blueprints, manuals, strategies, and playbooks. Display portion 20 may also include additional informational layers to provide comprehensive geographical and informational data.

This multi-functional navigational neck gaiter 100 is designed to meet the demands of outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and individuals requiring reliable navigational direction, protection and comfort in diverse conditions. The combination of advanced materials and thoughtful design elements ensures that the navigational neck gaiter stands out as a versatile and essential accessory for a wide range of applications.

The advantages of a tangible map connected to and embodied in a neck wearable include providing multifunctional informational display and garment uses affording the wearer both protection from environmental elements as well as handy access to critical information pertaining to said environment. The tangible maps incorporated in the multi-functional neck gaiter 100 are easily accessible while associated with the wearer's neck, and simple to move to a readable un-nested condition.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure as set forth in the following claims.