Cold weather outerwear

Abstract

An outerwear system for use in cold weather includes a vest to which external components may be attached. These components include sleeves, a cape, a hood, and a vest extension. The components may be individually attachable to the vest by slide fasteners.

1 . An outerwear system to be worn by a user, said outerwear system comprising: 
 a vest covering the chest, back, and shoulders of a user; and    a vest extension removably attachable to said vest, said vest extension covering the thighs of the user.    
   
   
       2 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vest extension has a front and a back and carries means for connecting said front to said back between the thighs of the user.  
   
   
       3 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cape removably attachable to said vest.  
   
   
       4 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said vest has a collar carrying a first portion of a slide fastener and wherein said cape carries a second portion of a slide fastener, said first portion of said slide fastener being attachable to said second portion of said slide fastener to fasten said cape to said vest.  
   
   
       5 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said collar has a top side and an opposing underside, and wherein said first portion of said slide fastener is carried on said underside of said collar.  
   
   
       6 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a hood removably attachable to said vest.  
   
   
       7 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said hood is dimensioned to permit the user to wear a hat under said hood.  
   
   
       8 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said vest has a collar carrying a first portion of a slide fastener and wherein said hood carries a second portion of a slide fastener, said first portion of said slide fastener being attachable to said second portion of said slide fastener to fasten said hood to said vest.  
   
   
       9 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said collar has a top side and an opposing underside, and wherein said first portion of said slide fastener is carried on said underside of said collar.  
   
   
       10 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a left sleeve and a right sleeve, said left and said right sleeves covering said left and said right arms, respectively, of the user and being removably attachable to said vest.  
   
   
       11 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a left sleeve, a right sleeve, a cape and a hood, said left sleeve, said right sleeve, said cape and said hood each being removably attachable to said vest in any combination.  
   
   
       12 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vest carries a pouch dimensioned for carrying said vest extension.  
   
   
       13 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said vest carries a pouch dimensioned for carrying said vest extension, said left sleeve, said right sleeve, said cape and said hood.  
   
   
       14 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vest and said vest extension are composed of at least three layers, said at least three layers including an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer, said intermediate layer carrying an odor-absorber.  
   
   
       15 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said inner layer is made of a non-woven material.  
   
   
       16 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said outer layer is made of a woven material.  
   
   
       17 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vest and said vest extension are composed of at least three layers, including an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer, 
 said outer layer of said vest being removably attachable to said outer layer of said vest extension without said intermediate and inner layers of said vest.    
   
   
       18 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vest carries a first portion of a slide fastener and said vest extension carries a second portion of a slide fastener, said first and said second portions of said slide fasteners being fastenable together to attach said vest and said vest extension.  
   
   
       19 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said cape has interior pockets dimensioned to receive the hands of the user.  
   
   
       20 . The outerwear system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vest and vest extension carry a camouflage pattern.