TACTICAL SHIRT WITH COLLAR

Abstract

 A tactical shirt includes a body having a neck opening. A collar at least partially surrounds the neck opening. The collar includes a front portion, a rear portion, a first transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a first side of the collar, and a second transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a second side of the collar. A free perimeter edge of the collar defines a first collar point at the first transition and a second collar point at the second transition.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to clothing. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a collar design for a tactical shirt and a tactical shirt with such a collar.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Tactical clothing is often designed to the specific needs of a tactical environment, including being compatible with the accessories often worn in a tactical environment. Such accessories may include body armor or plate carriers.

SUMMARY

[0003] The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

[0004] An aspect of the present disclosure involves a tactical shirt including a body having a neck opening and a collar that surrounds the neck opening. The collar defines a width between a first edge located at the neck opening and a second free edge. The collar includes a front portion and a rear portion, characterized by a maximum width of the rear portion being greater than a maximum width of the front portion. A first transition between the front portion and the rear portion is on a first side of the collar in which the second free edge defines a first collar point and a second transition between the front portion and the rear portion is on a second side of the collar, in which the second free edge defines a second collar point. The first collar point and the second collar point are spaced apart from one another in a standing orientation of the collar.

[0005] In some configurations, in the standing orientation, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point is at least 50 percent of a maximum width of the collar in the standing orientation. Such an arrangement provides suitable protection to the sides and back of the wearer's neck, while keeping the front of the neck uncovered for comfort and to facilitate cooling.

[0006] In some configurations, wherein the rear portion is foldable to define a folded orientation of the collar and, in the folded orientation, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point defines a maximum width of collar in the folded orientation.

[0007] In some configurations, the collar is formed by a single piece of fabric.

[0008] In some configurations, the single piece of fabric is folded with a folded edge defining the second free edge of the collar.

[0009] In some configurations, a maximum stretch direction of the single piece of fabric is in a circumferential direction of the collar.

[0010] In some configurations, each of the first and second transitions is limited to no more than about 10% of an overall circumference of the collar. Such an arrangement allows the tactical collar to assume a polo-style collar appearance in the folded orientation.

[0011] In some configurations, the maximum width of the rear portion is at least about 2 inches.

[0012] In some configurations, the maximum width of the rear portion is between 2-2.5 inches.

[0013] In some configurations, a maximum depth of the front portion as measured from a base of the collar at an intersection with a top edge of a shoulder of the tactical shirt is less than or equal to about 7 inches. Such an arrangement reduces or eliminates interference with a tactical vest or other body armor.

[0014] In some configurations, the front portion includes a right side and a left side, wherein the right side and the left side are coupled at a front center of the collar and overlap one another.

[0015] In some configurations, in the standing orientation of the collar, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point is at least 50 percent of a maximum width of the collar. Such an arrangement provides suitable protection to the sides and back of the wearer's neck, while keeping the front of the neck uncovered for comfort and to facilitate cooling.

[0016] In some configurations, the lateral distance is at least 4 inches.

[0017] In some configurations, the neck opening defines a fixed circumference.

[0018] In some configurations, the maximum width of the rear portion is at least 1.8 times a maximum width of the front portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a tactical shirt including a collar having certain features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is a side view of the tactical shirt of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the tactical shirt of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front view of the collar of the tactical shirt of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a front view of the collar of Figure 4 in an unfolded condition.

Figure 6 is a front view of the collar of Figure 4 in a folded condition.

Figure 7 is a front view of the collar of Figure 4 illustrating dimensions of a front of the collar.

Figure 8 is a rear view of the collar of Figure 4 illustrating dimensions of a rear of the collar.

Figure 9 is a front view of a portion of the tactical shirt of Figure 1 with the collar in a folded orientation.

Figure 10 is a rear view of the portion of the tactical shirt of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a side view of the portion of the tactical shirt of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of systems, components and methods of assembly and manufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout. Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the inventions described herein extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include other uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodiments of the inventions can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the inventions herein described.

[0021] Certain terminology may be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as "above" and "below" refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as "front," "back," "left," "right," "rear," and "side" describe the orientation and/or location of portions of the components or elements within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the components or elements under discussion. Moreover, terms such as "first," "second," "third," and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0022] It can be desirable for tactical clothing to meet the dual purpose of providing satisfactory performance in a tactical environment and providing a professional appearance in a nontactical environment. For example, tactical clothing should be compatible with gear and accessories used in a tactical environment (e.g., body armor or plate carriers). The accessories may be worn for a significant period of time and the tactical clothing should be comfortable for the user when such accessories are worn. However, because it is often worn in a professional environment by police and military, it is also desirable for tactical clothing to provide an appearance that is appropriate in an office or other professional environment.

[0023] Figures 1-11 illustrate a tactical shirt having a unique collar that is convertible between a first orientation more suitable for a tactical environment and a second orientation more suitable for a professional environment. In particular, at least a portion of the collar can convert from a raised position or standing orientation to a folded position or folded orientation. In the illustrated arrangement, the rear portion of the collar can be moved between the standing orientation and the folded orientation. In the raised position, the rear portion of the collar can provide neck coverage when used in a tactical environment and/or with tactical gear or accessories, such as body armor or plate carriers. In addition, the depth of the front of the collar keeps at least the bulk of, if not an entirety of, the collar from abrading with the body armor or plate carrier. In at least some configurations, the collar construction is a single pattern, folded piece of fabric, which creates a comfortable edge that stretches for better mobility and for putting on and taking off the shirt. As described previously, the collar also folds down, which allows it to be used in environments that require a fold down collar or in which a fold down collar is more appropriate. Although a short sleeve shirt is shown, the collar can be implemented on any shirt or top having a collar, including a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt, or a jacket, for example.

[0024] With reference to Figures 1-3, a tactical shirt 100 includes a body 102 having a neck opening 104. A collar 110 at least partially surrounds the neck opening 104. In the illustrated arrangement, the collar 110 completely surrounds the neck opening 104. The neck opening 104 can define a fixed circumference, meaning that there is no slit extending from the neck opening that can be opened or closed with a button or a zipper, in contrast with a polo-style or open front, zipper or button closure shirt. However, features of the collar 110 disclosed herein can be applied to a shirt having an adjustable circumference neck opening.

[0025] With further reference to Figure 4, the collar 110 includes a front portion 112 and a rear portion 114 located at a front and a rear of the tactical shirt 100, respectively. A first transition 120 is located between the front portion 112 and the rear portion 114 on a first side of the collar 110. A second transition 122 is located between the front portion 112 and the rear portion 114 on a second side of the collar 110, which is opposite the first side of the collar 110. Each of the transitions 120, 122 preferably is configured to form a collar point 130 such that the collar 110 can resemble a polo-type collar in a folded orientation, which allows the tactical shirt 100 to be able to adopt a more professional appearance when necessary or desirable.

[0026] A perimeter edge or free edge 132 of the collar 110 defines a first collar point 130 at the first transition 120 on the first side of the collar 110 and a second collar point 130 at the second transition 122 on the second side of the collar 100, opposite the first side of the collar 110. Each of the transitions 120, 122 can have a folding collar width 134, which is a width of the foldable portion of the rear portion 114 of the collar 110 at least at the transitions 120, 122. The folding collar width 134 can be equivalent to the length of the free edge 132 in each transition 120, 122 between the front portion 112 and the rear portion 114 of the collar 110. In some configurations, the folding collar width 134 can be approximately one-half of a width of the collar 110 at the location of the respective transition 120, 122. In some configurations, each of the first and second transitions 120, 122 includes an inside corner between the front portion 112 and a respective one of the first and second transitions 120, 122. In such cases, each of the folding collar widths 134 is defined between the inside corner and the collar point 130 of the respective transition 120, 122. Preferably, the collar 110, including the transitions 120, 122, are symmetrical relative to a vertical centerline of the tactical shirt 100.

[0027] As described previously, the rear portion 114 of the collar 110 is foldable so that the collar 110 resembles a polo-type collar. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a portion of the tactical shirt 100 with the collar 110 in an unfolded, upright, or standing orientation and a folded orientation, respectively. As illustrated in Figure 5, in the standing orientation of the collar 110, the first collar point 130 and the second collar point 132 are spaced-apart or separated by a significant lateral distance 136 as measured in a direction perpendicular to a vertical centerline of the tactical shirt 100. In some configurations, the lateral distance 136 is at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, or at least about 70% of a maximum lateral width 138 of the collar 110 in the standing orientation. In some configurations, the lateral distance 136 is between about 40%-80%, between about 50%-75%, or between about 60%-70% of the maximum lateral width 138 of the collar 110 in the standing orientation. In some configurations, the lateral distance 136 is at least about 4 inches, at least about 5 inches, or at least about 6 inches. In some configurations, the lateral distance 136 is between about 4-7 inches, between about 5-7 inches, or between 5.5-6.5 inches. In some configurations, the maximum lateral width 138 of the collar in the standing orientation is between about 7-9 inches, between about 8-9 inches, or is about 8.5 inches. For the sake of consistency, these distances or dimensions can be measured in a direction perpendicular to a vertical centerline of the tactical shirt 100 with the tactical shirt 100 in a laid flat orientation as the distances or dimensions may vary as worn. However, the above-identified distances or dimensions may also apply to the tactical shirt 100 as worn. As illustrated in Figure 6, in some configurations, when the rear portion 114 is folded, a lateral distance 140 between the first collar point 130 and the second collar point 130 in a direction perpendicular to a vertical centerline of the tactical shirt 100 defines a maximum width of the collar 110. Such an arrangement provides an advantageous amount of coverage of the back and sides of the wearer's neck in the standing orientation of the collar 110 while leaving the wearer's throat area uncovered to increase comfort.

[0028] In some configurations, the collar 110 is formed by a single piece of fabric. The single piece of fabric is folded with a folded edge defining the perimeter edge or the free edge 132 of the collar 110. As indicated by the arrows in Figure 5, in some configurations, a maximum stretch direction of the single piece of fabric that forms the collar 110 is in a circumferential direction of the collar 110. Such an arrangement increases the comfort of the collar 110 in either the standing orientation or the folded orientation.

[0029] In the illustrated arrangement, each of the transitions 120, 122 is a relatively sharp transition in contrast to a gradual transition. Thus, each of the transitions 120, 122 occurs over a limited span of the circumference of the collar 110. In some configurations, each of the first and second transitions 120, 122 is limited to no more than about 20%, no more than about 15%, no more than about 10%, or no more than about 5% of an overall circumference of the collar 110. In some configurations, each of the first and second transitions 120, 122 is limited to no more than about 1.5 inches, no more than about 1.0 inches, or no more than about 0.5 inches in the circumferential direction of the collar 110. Such an arrangement allows the collar 110 to create a dress collar or polo-style collar in the folded condition when the rear portion 114 is folded.

[0030] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, certain exemplary dimensions and proportions of an embodiment of the collar 110 are shown. In some configurations, the rear portion 114 defines a maximum width 150 in the unfolded or standing orientation that is greater than a maximum width 152 of the front portion 112. The maximum widths 150 and 152 can be a distance measured in a width direction of the collar 110 between a first fixed edge that is fixed to the body 102 of the tactical shirt 100 and the free edge 132, which is a second edge that is opposite the first edge. In some configurations, the maximum width 150 of the rear portion 114 is at least 1.5 times, at least 1.8 times, or at least twice (2 times) the maximum width 152 of the front portion 112. In some configurations, the maximum width 150 of the rear portion 114 is between 1.5-3 times, between 1.8-2.5 times, or between 1.8-2 times the maximum width 152 of the front portion 112. In some configurations, the maximum width 150 of the rear portion 114 is at least about 1.5 inches, at least about 2 inches, or at least about 2.25 inches. In some configurations, the maximum width 150 of the rear portion 114 is between 2-3 inches, between 2-2.5 inches, or is about 2.25 inches. In some configurations, the maximum width 152 of the front portion 112 is equal to or less than about 1.25 inches, equal to or less than about 1 inch, or equal to or less than about 0.75 inches. Any reference to maximum width 150 or maximum width 152 in the specification is in the context of considering the collar 110 itself and can equally be referred to as a "maximum height" when the collar 110 is considered in the context and orientation as incorporated into the tactical shirt 100. In some configurations, the front portion 112 can be minimized or omitted. Such an arrangement provides suitable coverage of the rear and sides of the wearer's neck.

[0031] In some configurations, a maximum depth 154 of the front portion 112 as measured from a base of the collar 110 at an intersection with a top edge of a shoulder of the tactical shirt 100 is less than or equal to about 9 inches, less than or equal to about 8 inches, less than or equal to about 7 inches, or less than or equal to about 6.5 inches. In some configurations, the maximum depth 154 of the front portion 112 is between about 4-9 inches, between about 4.25-8 inches, or between about 4.75-7.5 inches. A maximum depth 156 of the rear portion 114 as measured from the base of the collar 110 at an intersection with a top edge of a shoulder of the tactical shirt 100 can be less than or equal to about 3 inches, less than or equal to about 2 inches, or less than or equal to about 1-1/2 inches. In some configurations, the maximum depth 156 can be between about 0.5-3 inches, between about 0.5-2 inches, or between about five-eighths (5/8) inch and about one and one-half (1-1/2) inches. Such an arrangement can reduce or eliminate overlapping of the collar 110 with a tactical vest, plate carrier, or other body armor.

[0032] The collar 110 can be provided in several configurations and shapes. For example, the collar could be substantially circular in shape. However, in the illustrated configuration, the front portion 112 includes a right side and a left side that cooperate to form a V-shape. The right side and the left side are coupled at a front center of the collar 110. In the illustrated configuration, end portions of the right side and the left side overlap one another at the front center of the collar 110.

[0033] Figures 1-3 illustrate a front view, a rear view, and a side view, respectively, of the tactical shirt 100 in an as worn condition. The other side view is a mirror image of Figure 2. In Figures 1-3, the collar 110 is shown in the unfolded or standing orientation. Figures 9-11 also illustrate a front view, a rear view, and a side view, respectively, of the tactical shirt 100 in an as worn condition. The other side view is a mirror image of Figure 11. In Figures 9-11, the collar 110 is shown in the folded orientation.

[0034] Clause 1. A tactical shirt, comprising: a body having a neck opening; a collar that at least partially surrounds the neck opening, the collar comprising: a front portion; a rear portion; a first transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a first side of the collar; and a second transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a second side of the collar; wherein an inner free edge of the collar defines a first collar point at the first transition and a second collar point at the second transition.

[0035] Clause 2. The tactical shirt of Clause 1, wherein the rear portion is foldable.

[0036] Clause 3. The tactical shirt of Clause 2, wherein when the rear portion is folded, a lateral distance between first collar point and the second collar point defines maximum width of collar.

[0037] Clause 4. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein the collar is formed by a single piece of fabric.

[0038] Clause 5. The tactical shirt of Clause 4, wherein the single piece of fabric is folded with a folded edge defining an inner perimeter edge of the collar.

[0039] Clause 6. The tactical shirt of either of Clauses 4 or 5, wherein a maximum stretch direction of the single piece of fabric is in a circumferential direction of the collar.

[0040] Clause 7. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein each of the first and second transitions includes a corner between the front portion and a respective one of the first and second transitions.

[0041] Clause 8. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein each of the first and second transitions is limited to no more than about 10%, or no more than about 5%, of an overall circumference of the collar.

[0042] Clause 9. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein the rear portion defines a maximum width in an upright or unfolded orientation that is greater than a maximum width of the front portion.

[0043] Clause 10. The tactical shirt of Clause 9, wherein the maximum width of the rear portion is at least about 1.5 inches, at least about 2 inches, or at least about 2.25 inches.

[0044] Clause 11. The tactical shirt of Clause 9, wherein the maximum width is between 2-3 inches, or between 2-2.5 inches.

[0045] Clause 12. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein a maximum depth of the front portion as measured from a base of the collar at an intersection with a top edge of a shoulder of the tactical shirt is less than or equal to about 8 inches, less than or equal to about 7 inches, or less than or equal to about 6.5 inches.

[0046] Clause 13. The tactical shirt of Clause 12, wherein the maximum depth of the front portion is between about 4-7 inches, or between about 4.75-6.5 inches.

[0047] Clause 14. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein the front portion includes a right side and a left side.

[0048] Clause 15. The tactical shirt of Clause 14, wherein the right side and the left side are coupled at a front center of the collar.

[0049] Clause 16. The tactical shirt of Clause 15, wherein end portions of the right side and the left side overlap one another.

[0050] Clause 17. A tactical shirt, comprising: a body having a neck opening; a collar that surrounds the neck opening, the collar defining a width between a first edge located at the neck opening and a second free edge, the collar comprising: a front portion; a rear portion, wherein a maximum width of the rear portion is at least 1.8 times a maximum width of the front portion; a first transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a first side of the collar; and a second transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a second side of the collar; wherein the second free edge of the collar defines a first collar point at the first transition and a second collar point at the second transition, wherein the first collar point and the second collar point are spaced apart from one another in a standing orientation of the collar.

[0051] Clause 18. The tactical shirt of Clause 17, wherein the rear portion is foldable to define a folded orientation of the collar.

[0052] Clause 19. The tactical shirt of Clause 18, wherein, in the folded orientation, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point defines maximum width of collar.

[0053] Clause 20. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein, in the standing orientation, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point is at least 50 percent of a maximum width of the collar.

[0054] Clause 21. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein the collar is formed by a single piece of fabric.

[0055] Clause 22. The tactical shirt of Clause 21, wherein the single piece of fabric is folded with a folded edge defining the second free edge of the collar.

[0056] Clause 23. The tactical shirt of Clause 21 or 22, wherein a maximum stretch direction of the single piece of fabric is in a circumferential direction of the collar.

[0057] Clause 24. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein each of the first and second transitions includes a corner between the front portion and a respective one of the first and second transitions.

[0058] Clause 25. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein each of the first and second transitions is limited to no more than about 10% of an overall circumference of the collar.

[0059] Clause 26. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein the maximum width of the rear portion is at least about 2 inches.

[0060] Clause 27. The tactical shirt of Clause 26, wherein the maximum width of the rear portion is between 2-2.5 inches.

[0061] Clause 28. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein a maximum depth of the front portion as measured from a base of the collar at an intersection with a top edge of a shoulder of the tactical shirt is less than or equal to about 7 inches.

[0062] Clause 29. The tactical shirt of Clause 28, wherein the maximum depth of the front portion is between about 4.75-6.5 inches.

[0063] Clause 30. The tactical shirt of any preceding Clause, wherein the front portion includes a right side and a left side.

[0064] Clause 31. The tactical shirt of Clause 30, wherein the right side and the left side are coupled at a front center of the collar.

[0065] Clause 32. The tactical shirt of Clause 31, wherein end portions of the right side and the left side overlap one another.

[0066] Clause 33. A tactical shirt, comprising: a body having a neck opening; a collar that surrounds the neck opening, the collar defining a width between a first edge located at the neck opening and a second free edge, the collar comprising: a front portion; a rear portion; a first transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a first side of the collar; and a second transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a second side of the collar; wherein the second free edge of the collar defines a first collar point at the first transition and a second collar point at the second transition; wherein the rear portion is foldable from a standing orientation to a folded orientation of the collar; wherein, in a standing orientation of the collar, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point is at least 50 percent of a maximum width of the collar.

[0067] Clause 34. The tactical shirt of Clause 33, wherein the neck opening defines a fixed circumference.

[0068] Clause 35. The tactical shirt of Clause 33 or 34, wherein the lateral distance is at least 4 inches.

[0069] Clause 36. The tactical shirt of any one of Clause 33-35, wherein the collar is formed by a single piece of fabric.

Conclusion

[0070] It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performed simultaneously or in an order different from the steps as ordered herein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0071] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0072] Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term "ones" refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a quantity. The term "plurality" refers to two or more of an item. The term "about" or "approximately" means that quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The term "substantially" means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0073] Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of "about 1 to 5" should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but should also be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as "about 1 to about 3," "about 2 to about 4" and "about 3 to about 5," "1 to 3," "2 to 4," "3 to 5," etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g., "greater than about 1") and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms "and" and "or" are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term "alternatively" refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Claims

1. A tactical shirt, comprising:

a body having a neck opening;

a collar that surrounds the neck opening, the collar defining a width between a first edge located at the neck opening and a second free edge, the collar comprising:

a front portion;

a rear portion, characterized by:

a maximum width of the rear portion being greater than a maximum width of the front portion;

a first transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a first side of the collar in which the second free edge defines a first collar point; and

a second transition between the front portion and the rear portion on a second side of the collar in which the second free edge defines a second collar point;

wherein the first collar point and the second collar point are spaced apart from one another in a standing orientation of the collar.

2. The tactical shirt of claim 1, wherein, in the standing orientation, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point is at least 50 percent of a maximum width of the collar in the standing orientation.

3. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein the rear portion is foldable to define a folded orientation of the collar and, in the folded orientation, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point defines a maximum width of collar in the folded orientation.

4. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein the collar is formed by a single piece of fabric.

5. The tactical shirt of claim 4, wherein the single piece of fabric is folded with a folded edge defining the second free edge of the collar.

6. The tactical shirt of either of claims 4 or 5, wherein a maximum stretch direction of the single piece of fabric is in a circumferential direction of the collar.

7. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second transitions is limited to no more than about 10% of an overall circumference of the collar.

8. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein the maximum width of the rear portion is at least about 2 inches.

9. The tactical shirt of claim 8, wherein the maximum width of the rear portion is between 2-2.5 inches.

10. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein a maximum depth of the front portion as measured from a base of the collar at an intersection with a top edge of a shoulder of the tactical shirt is less than or equal to about 7 inches.

11. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein the front portion includes a right side and a left side, wherein the right side and the left side are coupled at a front center of the collar and overlap one another.

12. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein, in the standing orientation of the collar, a lateral distance between the first collar point and the second collar point is at least 50 percent of a maximum width of the collar.

13. The tactical shirt of claim 12, wherein the lateral distance is at least 4 inches.

14. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein the neck opening defines a fixed circumference.

15. The tactical shirt of any preceding claim, wherein the maximum width of the rear portion is at least 1.8 times a maximum width of the front portion.

Drawing