This idea is for a retrofit. Simply remove the drawstring from the hood of a sweatshirt or jacket, and insert this semi-rigid loop in its place. At the base of the loop there is a spring-loaded catapulting mechanism to be stitched in place at the back of the jacket or sweatshirt. Push the hood back until it locks in place to load the mechanism. Finally, pull the drawstring to catapult the hood over your head.
-- rcarty, Mar 29 2011

youtube: bird trap http://www.youtube....watch?v=9roUS0HLU1c
somewhat like this. It goes off around 1:30. [rcarty, Mar 30 2011]

The next logical step. http://www.youtube....watch?v=FjHCeCKfWyM
It goes off around 00:46. [2 fries shy of a happy meal, Mar 30 2011]

Airbag Helmet http://www.theglobe...64689/?from=1964698
[rcarty, Mar 31 2011]

Robotic Scanning Burqa Light Robotic_20Scanning_20Burqa_20Light
Not the same thing at all, really. [Wrongfellow, Mar 31 2011]

Could there be confetti involved?
-- daseva, Mar 29 2011


I see no purpose for it without confetti.
-- rcarty, Mar 29 2011


Try not to get confetti on this bun.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Mar 29 2011


I will vote only after I see a video of this inaction. (I meant to type in action, but perhaps inaction is more suitable.)
-- sqeaketh the wheel, Mar 30 2011


Someone will have to build it and record a video of it.
-- rcarty, Mar 30 2011


You would not want to wear this and your big dangly hoop earrings on the same day.

Such a device could be useful in semiliberated areas of Afghanistan, where women revealing their faces (but not big dangly hoop earrings) could quickly conceal them as the situation required.
-- bungston, Mar 30 2011


Other possibilities I have been sketching out include inflatable tubing as well as a more complex system of accordion / bellows folds.
-- rcarty, Mar 30 2011


I'm rather disappointed that this isn't a hood for catapulting objects over one's head into a large crowd or into the lake, etc...
-- xandram, Mar 30 2011


Thanks [2fries], most comments in the thread below the video (from a movie I've never seen) seem to be about that retractile armor hood as well, even though there must be numerous notable moments during that scene. That was pretty slick of Joey from Friends to have that even though his gun had to be assembled.
-- rcarty, Mar 30 2011


Ha. I wonder if he'll ever live down being 'Joey from freinds'.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Mar 30 2011


If by 'live down' you mean spend all the money he made, then no, I don't think he will. He's not a great actor, and even his delivery of the can of raid line in the link seemed labored and rehearsed. Also that's a remarkable mask because he seems to have no problem shouting through it as if there is nothing there.
-- rcarty, Mar 30 2011


Maybe just a little bit of green screen eh.

I was thinking about this idea at work today. I like it but think it would be ungainly if the hoop section/s remained rigid. If the drawstring could be cinched at either opening in the neck of the hoodie then very slightly tapered beads around this cord would assume a rigid hoop shape only when the cord was drawn tight but remain flexible and cloth like if the the cords were loose.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Mar 31 2011


... sounds like something that could be done with an inflatable ruff.
-- FlyingToaster, Mar 31 2011


//useful in semiliberated areas of Afghanistan//

Hmm... for some reason, that inspires me. <link>
-- Wrongfellow, Mar 31 2011


//Could there be confetti involved?//

Whatever happened to genuine fetti?
-- not_morrison_rm, Mar 31 2011


[+] simple. elegant. great idea.
-- pashute, Mar 31 2011


Perhaps this device could be kitbashed from the retractable top of a Mini Cooper convertible. (I know, I know, don't spellcheck me.)
-- Alterother, Apr 01 2011



random, halfbakery