Rain jacket having weather-protective collar

Abstract

Golf jackets having improved collar constructions are provided. The height of the center section of the collar is longer than the height of the first and second end sections of the collar. When closed, the collar can provide an effective weather-proof seal around the neck region. In one embodiment, the jacket has a minimal amount of panels and stitched seams. The jacket has a lightweight construction, good temperature-regulating properties, high stretch/elasticity, and an outer surface that is highly waterproof. The jacket provides the golfer with a complete range of motion so that he/she is comfortable and can play the game easily. In another embodiment, the collar features an inner collar that is readily adjustable to be adjacent the golfer's neck while making a golf shot during inclement weather, such that rain is less likely to get between the golfer's neck and the inner collar and dripping down their back during a golf shot and thus disrupting their golf shot.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A jacket, comprising:
 a shell, the shell comprising:
 a torso region configured for extending from a shoulder region to hip region of a wearer, the torso region including a top edge, a bottom edge and first and second torso side edges; 
 a collar assembly configured for extending around a neck region of the wearer and connected to the top edge of the torso region, the collar assembly including first and second collar side ends, an inner collar member and an outer collar member; and 
 a zipper extending from the torso bottom edge to the collar assembly, the zipper including first and second sets of complementary zipper teeth for fastening the first and second torso side edges of the torso region together and first and second side ends of the collar assembly together, 
   
       wherein the inner collar member is configured for closing into a smaller diameter tube to more tightly lie against the neck region of the wearer. 
     
     
         2 . The jacket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner collar member includes a cinch member attached to the first and second collar side ends to tighten the inner collar member against the neck region of the wearer. 
     
     
         3 . The jacket of  claim 2 , wherein the cinch member is provided within a pocket formed by the inner collar member. 
     
     
         4 . The jacket of  claim 2 , wherein the cinch member further comprises a cinch adjustment member configured to adjustably tighten and loosen the inner collar adjacent the neck region of the wearer. 
     
     
         5 . The jacket of  claim 4 , wherein the cinch adjustment member is a cord lock. 
     
     
         6 . The jacket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner collar member comprises an elastic member attached to the first and second collar side ends to tighten the inner collar member against the neck region of the wearer. 
     
     
         7 . The jacket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner collar member and outer collar member are joined at a base to each other and the top edge of the torso region of the shell. 
     
     
         8 . The jacket of  claim 7 , wherein the inner collar member and outer collar member are joined at the first and second side ends. 
     
     
         9 . The jacket of  claim 7 , wherein the outer collar member comprises at least one through opening adjacent the base such that any liquid captured between the inner and outer collar members can pass through the at least one through opening. 
     
     
         10 . The jacket of  claim 9 , wherein the through opening includes a grommet. 
     
     
         11 . The jacket of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one through opening is between about 3 mm and about 8 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The jacket of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket has greater than 10,000 mm water-resistance. 
     
     
         13 . The jacket of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket has water vapor permeability of greater than 8,000 g/m 2 /24 hr. 
     
     
         14 . The jacket of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of water-resistance to water vapor permeability is in the range of about 1.00:1.00 to about 5.00:1.00. 
     
     
         15 . A collar for a jacket, comprising:
 a collar assembly configured for extending around a neck region of a wearer and connecting to a top edge of a torso region of a jacket, the collar assembly comprising:
 first and second collar side ends; 
 an inner collar member; and 
 an outer collar member, 
   wherein the first and second side ends of the collar region are configured to be capable of being connected to one another by a zipper to form a tubular collar configured to fit around a neck region of a wearer, and   wherein the inner collar member is configured for closing more tightly against the neck region of the wearer.   
     
     
         16 . The collar of  claim 15 , wherein the inner collar member comprises a cinch member attached to the first and second collar side ends to tighten the inner collar member against the neck region of the wearer. 
     
     
         17 . The collar of  claim 16 , wherein the cinch member is provided within a pocket formed by the inner collar member. 
     
     
         18 . The collar of  claim 16 , wherein the cinch member further comprises a cinch adjustment member configured to adjustably tighten and loosen the inner collar adjacent the neck region of the wearer. 
     
     
         19 . The collar of  claim 18 , wherein the adjustment member is a pull cord and cord lock. 
     
     
         20 . The collar of  claim 15 , wherein the inner collar member comprises an elastic member attached to the first and second collar side ends to tighten the inner collar member against the neck region of the wearer. 
     
     
         21 . The jacket of  claim 15 , wherein the inner collar member and outer collar member are joined at the first and second side ends. 
     
     
         22 . The collar of  claim 15 , wherein each of the inner and outer collar members have a base and are joined together adjacent the base. 
     
     
         23 . The collar of  claim 22 , wherein the outer collar member comprises at least one through opening adjacent the base such that any liquid captured between the inner and outer collar members can pass through the at least one through opening. 
     
     
         24 . The collar of  claim 23 , wherein the through opening includes a grommet. 
     
     
         25 . The collar of  claim 23 , wherein the through opening is between about 3 mm and about 8 mm in diameter.