Modular sleeve systems

Abstract

A modular sleeve system includes a sleeve including a panel, a connector, and a strap. The panel forms a hollow body having a first end and an opposite second end, the hollow body defines a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, the first opening has a shoulder portion and an underarm portion. The connector is coupled to the panel. The strap is coupled to the panel and adapted to be received by the connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular sleeve system comprising:
 a sleeve comprising:
 a panel forming a hollow body having a first end and an opposite second end, the hollow body defines a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, the first opening has a shoulder portion and an underarm portion; 
 a connector coupled to the panel; and 
 a strap coupled to the panel and adapted to be received by the connector. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 1 , wherein the panel further comprises an extension extending from the shoulder portion of the first opening away from the panel, the connector being coupled to the extension, and the strap being coupled to the hollow body. 
     
     
         3 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve includes a passage coupled to the extension for at least partially receiving the strap. 
     
     
         4 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 2 , wherein the extension has a high friction surface. 
     
     
         5 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 2 , further comprising a liner adapted to be positioned within the sleeve, the liner comprising an insulative material having a thermal resistance value that is greater than a thermal resistance value of the panel of the sleeve, and a plurality of liner fasteners,
 wherein the sleeve further comprises a plurality of sleeve fasteners including at least one fastener coupled to the extension and at least one fastener coupled to the panel adjacent the underarm portion of the first opening,   the plurality of liner fasteners are positioned to be attachable to the plurality of sleeve fasteners.   
     
     
         6 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a cinch at the first end of the hollow body that extends partially along the first opening to be adapted to adjust a size of the first opening. 
     
     
         7 . A modular sleeve system comprising:
 a first sleeve and a second sleeve spaced apart from the first sleeve, each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises:
 a panel forming a hollow body having a first end and an opposite second end, the hollow body defines a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, the first opening has a shoulder portion and an underarm portion positioned closer to the second opening than the shoulder portion; 
 a strap coupled to the panel, 
   at least one of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprise a connector coupled to the respective panel and adapted to receive the strap of either the first sleeve or the second sleeve.   
     
     
         8 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 7 , wherein the panel of each of the first and second sleeves further comprises an extension extending from the shoulder portion of the first opening away from the panel, the connector being coupled to the extension, and the strap being coupled to the hollow body. 
     
     
         9 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 8 , further comprising a first liner adapted to be positioned within the first sleeve, and a second liner adapted to be positioned within the second sleeve, each liner comprising an insulative material having a thermal resistance value that is greater than a thermal resistance value of the panel of each sleeve, and a plurality of liner fasteners,
 wherein each sleeve further comprises a plurality of sleeve fasteners including at least one fastener coupled to the extension and at least one fastener coupled to the panel adjacent the underarm portion of the first opening,   the plurality of liner fasteners are positioned to be attachable to the plurality of sleeve fasteners.   
     
     
         10 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first sleeve and the second sleeve includes a passage coupled to the extension for at least partially receiving the strap. 
     
     
         11 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 8 , wherein the extension has a high friction surface. 
     
     
         12 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 7 , wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each further comprise a cinch at the first end of the hollow body that extends partially along the first opening to be adapted to adjust a size of the first opening. 
     
     
         13 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 7 , wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each further comprise a second strap spaced apart from the strap and extending from the first opening, and a connector coupled to the second strap configured to selectively couple to the connector of the other sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 13 , wherein the first sleeve and the second sleeve each further comprises a slit formed in the panel at the first end adjacent the first opening adapted to receive the second strap of the respective sleeve, and a second connector coupled to the second strap configured to receive an end of the second strap that is fed through the slit to couple the second strap to the panel. 
     
     
         15 . A modular sleeve system comprising:
 an item of apparel comprising a shoulder portion that extends between a shoulder and a neck of a wearer, the shoulder portion having a thickness; and   a sleeve comprising:
 a panel forming a hollow body having a first end and an opposite second end, the hollow body defines a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end, the first opening has a shoulder portion and an underarm portion; 
 a connector coupled to the panel; and 
 a strap coupled to the panel and adapted to be received by the connector, 
   the connector is spaced apart a distance from a position that the strap is coupled to the panel, the distance being greater than the thickness of the shoulder portion to allow the strap of the sleeve to extend around the shoulder portion and couple to the connector.   
     
     
         16 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 15 , wherein the panel further comprises an extension extending from the shoulder portion of the first opening away from the panel, the connector being coupled to the extension, and the strap being coupled to the hollow body,
 the extension of the sleeve extends a length that is greater than the thickness of the shoulder portion of the item of apparel to be adapted to extend under the shoulder portion of the item of apparel to allow the strap of the sleeve to extend around the shoulder portion of the item of apparel and couple to the connector on the extension.   
     
     
         17 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 15 , wherein the item of apparel comprises a poncho including a first slit and a second slit in the shoulder portion of the poncho, the connector and the strap of the sleeve is adapted to be positionable through each of the first slit and the second slit to selectively couple the sleeve to the poncho. 
     
     
         18 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 15 , wherein the item of apparel comprises a backpack, and the shoulder portion of the item of apparel comprises a backpack strap. 
     
     
         19 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 15 , wherein the item of apparel comprises a vest. 
     
     
         20 . The modular sleeve system of  claim 15 , wherein the item of apparel comprises a pair of waders, and the shoulder portion of the item of apparel comprises a wader strap.