Sensory chewing neck gaiter

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a neck gaiter having a chewing surface attached to a part of the neck gaiter. The gaiter is designed for individuals on the Autism Spectrum who chew objects to satisfy their self-stimulatory behavior needs. This is a form of self-stimulation which can relieve anxiety, reduce fear and combat sensory overload. The gaiter is sized and proportioned to comfortably and releasably encompass the neck of the individual who will be wearing the gaiter. A textured chewing surface is attached to a central region of the gaiter. The chewing surface is made of non-toxic, tasteless material that does not erode during the chewing process, such as rubber, plastic, silicone, or a combination thereof. The chewing surface preferably comprises a plurality of indentations or protrusions to produce a textured surface.

1 . A neck gaiter comprising:
 a supporting body section, said body section consisting of an essentially rectangular piece of material, sized and proportioned to wrap around a user's neck, said essentially rectangular piece of material having an innersurface, an outersurface, an upper edge, a lower edge and opposing first and second ends;   at least one of a first fastening element attached to said first end of said body section;   at least one of a second fastening element configured to releasably connect with said first fastening element, said second fastening element being attached to said second end of said body section;   an elastic region at each of the said opposing first and second ends;   and   a textured chewing surface attached to said upper edge of said body section,   wherein positioning of the neck gaiter on a neck of a wearer is such that, the chewing surface is in close proximity to the wearer's mouth.   
     
     
         2 . The neck gaiter of  claim 1 , wherein said first fastening element is attached to said outer surface of said first end of said body section and said second fastening element is attached to said inner surface of said second end of said body section, said first and second fastening elements being sized and proportioned to releasably cooperate with one another. 
     
     
         3 . The neck gaiter of  claim 2 , wherein said first fastening means and said second fastening elements are co-operating pieces of hook and loop fastener, for releasably fastening said neck gaiter around a wearer's neck. 
     
     
         4 . The neck gaiter of  claim 2 , wherein said first fastening element and said second fastening element are co-operating pieces of a popper mechanism, for releasably fastening said neck gaiter around a wearer's neck, 
     
     
         5 . The neck gaiter of  claim 2 , wherein said first fastening means and said second fastening elements are co-operating pieces of a hook and eye mechanism, for releasably fastening said neck gaiter around a wearer's neck. 
     
     
         6 . The neck gaiter of  claim 1 , wherein said essentially rectangular piece of material is hydrophilic and selected from the group consisting of: linen; cotton; rayon; wool; terry toweling; fleece, bamboo fabric; microfiber; plush fabric; hemp; flannel; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The neck gaiter of  claim 6 , wherein said essentially rectangular piece of material further comprises an elastic material, said elastic material being integrated into the essentially rectangular piece of material at each of the said first and second ends. 
     
     
         8 . The neck gaiter of  claim 1 , wherein said chewing surface is in close horizontal proximity to the wearer's mouth. 
     
     
         9 . The neck gaiter of  claim 1 , wherein said chewing surface is selected from the group consisting of: rubber; plastic; silicone; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The neck gaiter of  claim 1 , wherein said textured surface comprises a plurality of indentations. 
     
     
         11 . The neck gaiter of  claim 9 , wherein said textured surface comprises a plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . The neck gaiter of  claim 10 , wherein said chewing surface comprises a zipper said zipper may be in the form of a single exposed surface, or a combined double or zipped surface. 
     
     
         13 . A method of making a neck gaiter, said method comprising the steps:
 cutting an essentially rectangular piece of fabric, sized and proportioned to wrap around a user's neck, said essentially rectangular piece of fabric having opposing edges and opposing ends;   attaching a textured chewing surface in a horizontal orientation to an upper edge of one of said opposing edges;   attaching an elastic material to each of the said opposing ends;   and   attaching one or more fastening elements to each of said opposing ends,   wherein said opposing edges of said rectangular piece of fabric is sized and proportioned to accommodate a neck of a wearer such that the chewing surface is positioned in close horizontal proximity to the wearer's mouth.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of attaching said chewing surface comprises stitching said chewing surface to one of said opposing edges. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of attaching said fastening elements to said opposing ends comprises stitching or bonding cooperating pieces of hook and loop fastener onto said opposing ends. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of attaching said fastening elements to said opposing ends comprises stitching cooperating poppers, or cooperating hooks and loops, onto said opposing ends. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of attaching said fastening elements to said opposing ends comprises stitching or tying cooperating pieces fabric or elastic onto said opposing ends. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising the additional step of attaching a zipper to said textured chewing surface, said zipper oriented horizontally along said textured chewing surface, wherein said zipper may be in the form of a single exposed surface, or a combined double or zipped surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said textured chewing surface is a zipper, oriented horizontally along said upper edge, said zipper may be in the form of a single exposed surface, or a combined double or zipped surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said textured chewing surface is selected from the group consisting of: rubber; plastic; silicone; and combinations thereof.