Balaclava

Abstract

A balaclava for employment in an as-used position worn upon the head of a user. The balaclava is formed of plurality of layers of woven or knitted fabric preferably formed of carbon fibers. A structural component occupies a pocket positioned in front of the mouth of a user when the device is in the as-used position. The structural component provides a support to maintain a gap between the layers of fabric and easing the airflow through the fabric to the user. Filter media may be included within the structural component to remove harmful contaminants in the airflow communicated to the user.

1 . A balaclava for employment in an as-used position, worn upon the head of a user, comprising:
 a hood, said hood formed of a plurality of layers of woven or knitted fabric;   a first surface area of said hood located substantially in front of the mouth of a user when in the as-used position;   a pocket formed between said layers of fabric within said first surface area;   a structural component positionable in said pocket;   said structural component having an internal cavity defined by an area surrounded by a first side surface and a second side surface;   said structural component having and having air passages communicating between said first side surface and said second side surface;   said structural component providing means to maintain a gap between said plurality of layers of said fabric, said gap positioned substantially within said first surface area; and   whereby said gap provides an improved pathway for an air flow through said plurality of layers of fabric and said internal cavity to the repertory system of said user to provide a means to aid breathing of a user wearing said balaclava in said as-used position.   
     
     
         2 . The balaclava of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 filter media located within said internal cavity, said filter media configured to prevent communication of harmful contaminants in said air flow. 
 
     
     
         3 . The balaclava of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 said filter media configured to remove one or a combination of said harmful contaminants from a group of said harmful contaminants including smoke, particulate, and petroleum fumes. 
 
     
     
         4 . The balaclava of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a passage through said plurality of layers of fabric, said passage communicating with said pocket; and 
 said structural component being removably engageable within said pocket through an insertion through said passage. 
 
     
     
         5 . The balaclava of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 a passage through said plurality of layers of fabric, said passage communicating with said pocket; and 
 said structural component being removably engageable within said pocket through an insertion through said passage. 
 
     
     
         6 . The balaclava of  claim 3  additionally comprising:
 a passage through said plurality of layers of fabric, said passage communicating with said pocket; and 
 said structural component being removably engageable within said pocket through an insertion through said passage. 
 
     
     
         7 . The balaclava of  claim 6  additionally comprising:
 said structural component being one of a kit of a plurality of said structural components; 
 each of said plurality having said filter media therein; and 
 whereby said structural component is replaceable to provide a new source of said filter media when needed. 
 
     
     
         8 . The balaclava of  claim 6  additionally comprising:
 said structural component being one of a kit of a plurality of said structural components; 
 each respective one of said plurality of said structural components having a form of said filter media composed of material adapted to remove a specific said contaminant from said airflow to said user; and 
 whereby said balaclava may be configured in advance of employment in said as-used position by a user, to remove a chosen said contaminant by insertion of a said structural component into said pocket which is adapted to filter said chosen contaminant from said airflow. 
 
     
     
         9 . The balaclava of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 said woven or knitted fabric being formed of carbon fibers. 
 
     
     
         10 . The balaclava of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 said woven or knitted fabric being formed of carbon fibers. 
 
     
     
         11 . The balaclava of  claim 7  additionally comprising:
 said woven or knitted fabric being formed of carbon fibers. 
 
     
     
         12 . The balaclava of  claim 8  additionally comprising:
 said woven or knitted fabric being formed of carbon fibers.