Articles of apparel with retractable protective elements

Abstract

Articles of apparel provide at least one protective characteristic. The articles of apparel may include a generally annular first element, such as a neckband, and a second, retractable element that is operably secured to the first element. The second element may provide at least one protective characteristic. The first element may (or may not) include a receptacle into which the second element is retractable.

1 . An article of apparel, comprising:
 a generally annular first element; and   a second, retractable element operably secured to the first element, wherein the second element has at least one protective characteristic.   
     
     
         2 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel is at least one of a neck gaiter, neck band, and scarf. 
     
     
         3 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first element includes an elastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the first element has a first end and a second, opposing end that are detachably secured to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the second element includes at least one of a face covering, a head covering, and an ear covering. 
     
     
         6 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , further comprising a third, retractable element operably secured to the first element, wherein the third element has at least one protective characteristic. 
     
     
         7 . The article of apparel of  claim 6 , wherein the second element is a face covering and the third element is a head covering. 
     
     
         8 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the protective characteristic of the second element includes at least one of insulation, warmth, protection from weather elements, protection from pathogens, and camouflage. 
     
     
         9 . The article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the first element includes a receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The article of apparel of  claim 9 , wherein the second element is retractable into the receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The article of apparel of  claim 9 , wherein the receptacle is detachably secured to the first element. 
     
     
         12 . An article of apparel, comprising:
 a neckband including a receptacle integrally formed therewith; and   a retractable head covering having at least one protective characteristic, the retractable head covering operably secured to the neckband in a location such that a majority of the head covering is housed within the receptacle when the head covering is in a retracted position and at least a portion of the head covering is positioned outside of the receptacle when the head covering is in an extended position.   
     
     
         13 . The article of apparel of  claim 12 , wherein the neckband has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end is detachably secured to the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The article of apparel of  claim 12 , wherein the head covering includes a face covering. 
     
     
         15 . The article of apparel of  claim 12 , further comprising a retractable face covering operably secured to the neckband, wherein the retractable face covering is discrete from the retractable head covering. 
     
     
         16 . The article of apparel of  claim 15 , wherein the receptacle is a first receptacle and further comprising a second receptacle operably secured to the neckband in a location such that the face covering is housed within the second receptacle when the face covering is in a retracted position and at least a portion of the face covering is positioned outside of the second receptacle when the face covering is in an extended position. 
     
     
         17 . The article of apparel of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one protective characteristic includes at least one of insulation, warmth, protection from weather elements, protection from pathogens, and camouflage. 
     
     
         18 . An article of apparel, comprising:
 an elastic band defining a hole and including at least one receptacle; and   at least one protective element operably secured to the elastic band, wherein a majority of the protective element is positioned within the at least one receptacle when the protective element is in a retracted position and a majority of the protective element extends away from and is positioned outside of the receptacle when the protective element is in an unretracted position.   
     
     
         19 . The article of apparel of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one protective element is operably secured to the elastic band at a position within the receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The article of apparel of  claim 18 , wherein the elastic band has a first end and a second, opposing end that are detachably secured to each other. 
     
     
         21 . The article of apparel of  claim 18 , wherein the protective element provides at least one of insulation, warmth, protection from weather elements, protection from pathogens, and camouflage. 
     
     
         22 . The article of apparel of  claim 18 , wherein the receptacle is detachably secured to the elastic band. 
     
     
         23 . The article of apparel of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one protective element includes at least one of a face covering, a head covering, and an ear covering.