Breathable protective head covering

Abstract

A protective head covering includes a cylindrical-like sleeve with two large openings, one at the top and one at the bottom. The first opening expands and contracts using an elastic band and the second opening can be closed using a sealing mechanism that confines the user's hair to the inside of the cap, sealing out all water, wind or other elements. The bottom of the sleeve can be secured up off of the user's neck, back and shoulders using a fastening member.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A protective head covering comprising:
 a cylindrical-like sleeve comprising:
 a first opening at a top portion of the cylindrical-like sleeve that expands and contracts in diameter, and 
 a second opening at a bottom portion of the cylindrical-like sleeve that can be secured and closed. 
   
     
     
         2 . The protective head covering of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a layer of breathable and washable material applied to an external surface of the cylindrical-like sleeve.   
     
     
         3 . The protective head covering of  claim 2 , wherein the material is waterproof. 
     
     
         4 . The protective head covering of  claim 2 , wherein the material is machine-washable. 
     
     
         5 . The protective head covering of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an internal channel comprised of a layer of a waterproof material.   
     
     
         6 . The protective head covering of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an internal channel comprised of a layer of a non-waterproof material.   
     
     
         7 . The protective head covering of  claim 6 , wherein the non-waterproof material is cotton. 
     
     
         8 . The protective head covering of  claim 6 , wherein the wherein the non-waterproof material is terrycloth. 
     
     
         9 . The protective head covering of  claim 6 , wherein the non-waterproof material is nylon. 
     
     
         10 . The protective head covering of  claim 6 , wherein the non-waterproof material is polyester. 
     
     
         11 . The protective head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening at the top portion of the cylindrical-like sleeve expands and contracts in diameter in response to user operation of a stretchable mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The protective head covering of  claim 11 , wherein the stretchable mechanism comprises an elastic band. 
     
     
         13 . The protective head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening at the bottom portion of the cylindrical-like sleeve is an adjustable opening configured to open and close in response to user operation of a sealing mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The protective head covering of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing mechanism comprises a drawstring mechanism made of a string, cord, elastic or nylon. 
     
     
         15 . The protective head covering of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing mechanism used is a zipper. 
     
     
         16 . The protective head covering of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing device on the protective head covering configured to secure the second opening to the base of the head covering. 
     
     
         17 . The protective head covering of  claim 16 , wherein the securing device comprises a loop securing mechanism made of string, cord, elastic or nylon that is secured with a toggle or bead. 
     
     
         18 . The protective head covering of  claim 16 , wherein the securing device comprises a holding mechanism such as a button, snap or velcro. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using a protective head covering, comprising:
 inserting the head of a user through a first opening of the protective head covering;   inserting the head of the user through a second opening of the protective head covering, placing the first opening down by the shoulders of the user and the second opening up by the ears of the user with a front and center portion of the cap facing in front of the face of the user and not behind the head of the user;   arranging the first opening to surround the head of the user around the hairline of the user, thereby sealing the hairline of the user to protect from water or other elements;   confining the hair of the user to the inside of the cap; and   closing the second opening of the cap using a sealing device to prevent water or other elements from entering inside the protective head covering; and   securing the second opening to the base of the cap with a fastening member.