Balaclava

Abstract

An improved balaclava can include a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head and an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover, wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to at least partially cover a user's mouth and nose region. The injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region. The injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion, wherein the one or more vents are arranged to direct exhaled air and moisture in a generally downward direction and away from the user's eyes when the balaclava is worn.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A balaclava, comprising:
 a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head;   an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover;   wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to cover a user's mouth and nose region;   wherein the injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region; and   wherein the injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion.   
     
     
         2 . The balaclava of  claim 1 , wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents. 
     
     
         3 . The balaclava of  claim 1 , further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck. 
     
     
         4 . The balaclava of  claim 3 , further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents. 
     
     
         5 . The balaclava of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece. 
     
     
         6 . The balaclava of  claim 1 , wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof. 
     
     
         7 . The balaclava of  claim 1 , wherein the head cover comprises neoprene, and wherein the facepiece is primarily made of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . A balaclava, comprising:
 a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head;   an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover;   wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to cover a user's mouth and nose region;   wherein the injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal around the user's mouth and nose region; and   wherein the injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion.   
     
     
         9 . The balaclava of  claim 8 , wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents. 
     
     
         10 . The balaclava of  claim 8 , further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck. 
     
     
         11 . The balaclava of  claim 10 , further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents. 
     
     
         12 . The balaclava of  claim 8 , wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece. 
     
     
         13 . The balaclava of  claim 8 , wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof. 
     
     
         14 . The balaclava of  claim 8 , wherein the head cover comprises neoprene, and wherein the facepiece is primarily made of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         15 . A balaclava, comprising:
 a head cover adapted to at least partially cover a user's head;   an injection molded facepiece attached to the head cover;   wherein the injection molded facepiece is adapted to at least partially cover a user's mouth and nose region;   wherein the injection molded facepiece has a sealing portion that is adapted to form a seal at least partially around the user's mouth and nose region; and   wherein the injection molded facepiece defines one or more vents positioned below the sealing portion.   
     
     
         16 . The balaclava of  claim 15 , wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion extending downward below the sealing portion, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents. 
     
     
         17 . The balaclava of  claim 15 , further comprising a tubular neck cover attached to the head cover, the tubular neck cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's neck. 
     
     
         18 . The balaclava of  claim 17 , further comprising a torso cover attached to the neck cover, the torso cover adapted to at least partially cover the user's torso, wherein the injection molded facepiece includes a tubular portion that extends toward the torso cover, and wherein the tubular portion defines the one or more vents. 
     
     
         19 . The balaclava of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing portion includes a lip that extends over a cavity defined by the facepiece. 
     
     
         20 . The balaclava of  claim 15 , wherein the head cover is wind-resistant or windproof, and wherein the head cover is water-resistant or waterproof.