US20090255035A1

US20090255035A1 - Adjustable Hat with a Customized Structure

Info

Publication number: US20090255035A1
Application number: US12/102,646
Authority: US
Inventors: Wade Little; Rhett Little
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-14
Filing date: 2008-04-14
Publication date: 2009-10-15

Abstract

An adjustable headwear is shown, consisting of connecting multiple numbers of individual panels using zipper, Velcro or hook. In another example, it is also adjustable for size at more than one elevation (two or more). The panels are made of different material, natural fabric and/or synthetic textile. Panels are in one or different colors are inter-changeable to provide better fit, higher level of protection and enhanced stability. The hat is used with or without a rim or visor. The adjustment mechanisms are band and clasp, pins and matching holes or Velcro and are located in the bottom portion of the hat and between the bottom portion and the top of the hat. To provide higher degree of protection, the top part is made out of hard material, in another example. In another embodiment, it is a rimless hat. It may stand on its own structure, on any other object (i.e. it does not flatten out on a desk, for example). It may be reversible in direction/orientation, or reversible inside-out, worn backward, or worn inside-out. Many variations and embodiments were discussed.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This invention is related to another one (divisional) case with the same specification, figures, inventors, assignee, and title, co-pending, filed on the same day, but with different claims, related to 2 different and separate inventions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a head covering gear and more specifically to an adjustable headwear with a protective top portion. The present invention is primarily directed to an adjustable headwear, of the type including a generally head covering portion with or without a brim, visor, shade or bill. Hats of this type are worn by people of all ages at various activities and events. This sort of headwear is used to protect the head and hair from cold, extreme heat, rain, snow, wind and blocking the face and neck area from receiving harmful ultraviolet rays. Hats are also used for advertisement and promotional purposes as well as exhibiting favoritism towards a particular team and/or group, making fashion statements and enhancing performance by blocking the sun out of the eyes during various activities such as driving, outdoor activities, and sports events. Recreational and professional athletes utilize and require various types of headgear depending upon a number of factors such as the type of sport they are involved in, the weather condition in which the headgear is to be worn and so on. In addition, people who are involved with outdoor activities including jogging, walking, boating, construction activities, gardening and landscaping work or parents of school age children who are involved in sports utilize different types of hats for the purposes of holding the hair back from the face, protecting the eyes and the face from the sun, keeping the head warm, or protecting the head from rain or any combination of this sort. Other main considerations for selecting a headwear include comfort, the ability of the hat to remain secure around the user's head without slipping, and safety. An important consideration for the headwear is safety and the ability to provide protection and not create damage to the wearer during a fall, getting hit by other objects or collision with another person or any obstruction. Headwear gears are utilized as very popular promotional and advertising items. In many occasions such as: schools, sports events, ceremonial gatherings and parades are often part of the uniform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards an adjustable headwear that provides enhanced performance, better fit and more aesthetically pleasing features. In one embodiment of the invention, the hat is comprised of panels and a protective top. The hat is constructed by connecting multiple panels together utilizing connecting mechanisms such as; Velcro, zipper, Ziploc or hook. The number of the individual panels used for the construct of this hat can vary (3, 4, 5 . . . ) as well as the material that is being used for each panel. Since the hat is being constructed by connecting individual panels together, each panel can be made out of different material, different color, meshed fabric, or any combination of sort.
Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide protection and act like a helmet by having the top portion made out of hard material similar to the material used in bicycle helmet or other protective headwear. Individual panels are attached to the hard top portion and to one another utilizing the aforementioned connecting mechanisms (hook, Velcro, or zipper mechanism).
In another embodiment, it is a rimless hat. In one embodiment, the rimless hat may have rim attached as an accessory. It may stand on its own structure, on any other object (i.e. it does not flatten out on a desk, for example). The rimless hat may be used by itself. It may be reversible in direction/orientation, or reversible inside-out, worn backward, or worn inside-out. It may have one or more adjustment mechanisms, for size adjustment, or just for the look. The hat may have panels, and the panels of the hat maybe in the rimless format or with-rim format.
An advantage of the present invention is illustrated by a plurality of removable and interchangeable panels that can provide a better fit and a higher degree of protection to the user by having a hard top incorporated in the structure of the headwear. The hat can accommodate a brim, rim, visor, or bill in order to further protect the face and neck from the ultraviolet rays of sun.
Another object of this invention is the ability to exhibit names, brands, logos as well as different shapes, maps, drawings or artwork on the hat. The desired map, drawing or logo can be achieved by using panels to form a collection that exhibits the desired name, logo, drawing or map.
In another embodiment of this invention, two adjustable mechanisms are utilized to accommodate different sizes of the users' heads. The adjustment mechanisms are located at different levels for enhanced stability, better fit and increased comfort. The adjustment mechanisms use Velcro, clasp or pins and matching holes, at the bottom portion of the headwear as well as the top portion segment of the adjustable hat. In a variation of this embodiment, one or more panels, located in the upper portion of the hat is folded as fan pleads and shaped similar to an accordion to accommodate the desired size.
The number or size of the panels can help to adjust the size, according to the size of the head of the user. The hats can be rimless. They can have rim, too. The rim can be temporary, or it can be permanent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the hat exhibiting two panels of the adjustable hat

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention showing three panels connected to one another. The vent apertures are also shown on the upper part of the panels

FIG. 3 is a top view of the adjustable hat using triangular panels connected to one another with the apertures to provide adequate ventilation

FIG. 4 is the back view of one of the adjustment mechanism for the upper part of the hat. This view shows the clasp and adjustable band

FIG. 5 is the back view of one of the adjustment mechanism. This view shows the male/female holes that can be adjusted to provide the desired size for the upper part of the hat

FIG. 6 is the back view of the adjusting mechanism utilizing the Velcro to provide desires size in the upper portion of the hat.

FIG. 7 shows the front view of the upper part of the hat with three panels connected to one another. This schematic depicts the opposite view of where the adjustment mechanism is located in the hat

FIG. 8 is the top view from a 60 degree angle showing the lower part of the hat with the adjustable mechanism for the lower portion of the hat. This schematic shows the panels and the apertures.

FIG. 9 is the front view of the lower portion of the adjustable hat with the adjusting mechanism in the back

FIG. 10 is the back view of the lower portion of the adjustable hat. The adjusting mechanism illustrated in this schematic uses a clasp that provides desired sizes for the wearer.

FIG. 11 is the back view of the lower part of the adjustable hat. The mechanism used in this depiction to provide desired size is the pins and matching holes that can be changed in order to provide comfortable size to the user

FIG. 12 is the back view of the lower part of the adjustable hat. the mechanism illustrated in this schematic is Velcro.

FIG. 13 is the top view of the hat using panels that are connected to one another. These panels are made of different materials and when connected provide protection and more stability.

FIG. 14 is the front view of the headwear where it shows different connection types between two adjacent panels in one schematic (i.e., zipper, Velcro, hook or chain)

FIG. 15 is the back view illustrating the utilization of adjusting mechanism at different elevations of the hat. The adjusting mechanism is comprised of Velcro, pins and matching holes, or clasping system

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a panel that is fan pleaded or accordion shape or chain. Other adjusting mechanisms are used including belt or Velcro.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the had where more protective material is used in the upper portion of the hat, the panels are connected to the top portion and the hat acts as a helmet and provides a much height degree of protection against falls, collisions or hitting objects

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now specifically to the figures, in which identical or similar parts are designated by throughout, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail. The following descriptions include various aspects and advantages of the present invention. At first referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, there is illustrated an adjustable headwear that is constituted of multiple panels that when connected to one another, they form an object similar to a conventional hat.
The individual panels are designed in different geometric shapes; each panel is shaped in different shapes and sizes including but not limited to a triangle, square, rectangle or trapezoids that are connected together, from one or more sides. These multiple pieces when connected to one another in a predestined conventional head gear for different purposes including but not limited to outdoor activities, sports events and activities, protection of eyes, face and neck area from cold and damaging rays of sun. Therefore and to meet specific needs of the headgear user each individual panel can be manufactured from a type of material, natural or synthetic, or fabric that is used to meet desired outcome. In one embodiment, individual panels are made out of cotton or meshed fabric in order to provide protection from different elements and deflection of ultraviolet rays while providing necessary advantages to the wearers including proper ventilation and to absorb and transport moisture such as perspiration. In other embodiments, the material used for the panels' maybe wool or other warm or heat retaining fabric when the head gear is to be worn in connection with cold weather or conditions. Similarly, the material utilized for the panel maybe plastic or other water resistant or waterproof textile to provide a protective barrier against moisture to the user. Other embodiments utilize Spandex and or elastic textile for the said panels or may utilize panels of different material in one hat. One embodiment may be constituted by combining more than one type of material in one embodiment of the said invention.
Another embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 17 where the upper portion of the head covering is made out of hard material similar to the materials used in protective hard hats such as; bicycle helmets. This hard portion of the hat is then connected to the individual panels and combined together, which will provide a helmet type function and greater degree of protection. In one variation of this embodiment, individual panels extend over the upper portion of the headwear where the hart segment is located. This variation will create the appearance of a non-helmet type headwear at the same time this embodiment provides protection to the wearer against collisions, falls, and falling objects.
Referring to FIG. 14, the diagram illustrates the connectivity of the individual panels utilizing a number of mechanisms. In one embodiment, the panels are connected to one another using Velcro. Strips of Velcro are attached to the edges of each panel and act as the connections between the two adjacent panels. In other embodiments of the invention, the individual panels are connected to one another utilizing zippers or Ziploc system. The edges of individual panels where connection is to be made are equipped with zippers or Ziploc so panels are connected to one another utilizing this particular correlation. Utilizing the zipper connection could further enhance the appearance of the headwear. Fashion designers could make use the zipper feature of this invention as one of their trademark emblems. In other embodiments of this invention, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the connection between individual panels is comprised of hooks or similar mechanism.
As suggested in FIG. 9 and FIG. 13, a further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in which the head covering portion of the article is attached to a rim, visor, blind, shade or bill. To further enhance the functionality of this headwear and, unitizing any of the aforementioned connectivity mechanisms, the said article can be connected to an outer rim of kind in order to meet whatever the specific need of the wearer might entail. As suggested in FIG. 13, the outer rim of this invention extends around the entire circumference of the head covering portion of this invention functioning as a brim sort of augment and, other embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 9, the outer rim expand thru the front portion of the hat and provides a visor effect to the head gear.
As suggested in FIG. 13, individual panels could have different colors. An added advantage of this invention is the versatility of achieving a multicolor hat. Individual panels can be manufactured in deferent colors based upon the intent of the use. It is also visually appealing and allows athletes to exhibit such things as team colors, in this regard, a plurality of or kit of inter-changeable having a variety of different purposes, colors or designs maybe provided or used with an individual headwear.
A further enhancement of the present invention is the interchangeability of the individual panels as illustrated by selection of not just different color but various type fabric, textile, Spandex or elastic material for creating a flexible construct of the hat. Connecting multiple panels made out of different material as mentioned together improves essential functionalities assigned to a headwear including size, stability and protection to the wearer.
FIG. 3 illustrates the presence of ventilation apertures in each individual panel. These holes as illustrated create circulation of air inside the headwear and assist with perspiration. The advantage of these orifices is apparent when individual panels are made out of heavier textile and fabric. Hats made with woolen, fleece or Spandex, other synthetic material or any combination thereof could potentially promote excess sweating that requires ventilation. These apertures permit circulation of air inside the hat while being worn and therefore promoting healthier conditions for the wearer.
As mentioned, a plurality or Kit of interchangeable panels allows for higher degree of creativity in displaying logos, artwork, symbols, and slogans, combination of words and letters and phrases. Each panel can have one or more letters, one or more words or a symbol on it. When these panels are connected and assembled, the hat will display the desired logo, brand name or phrase. Similarly, the individual adjustable hat is capable of displaying a collage of artwork and shapes. The panels, when assembled, exhibit various drawings, examples include: for national sporting events maps of regions or logos of different team can be displayed and during international events, the panels of the present invention are utilized to display maps or flags of participating countries, symbols of the corresponding event and during other assemblies, groups and entities can utilize the present invention to display the slogan or symbol of their choice. The headwear has numerous possibilities to enhance the display ability on am item of sort. An additional advantage that the plurality of these interchangeable panels offers is the extended usable life of the item. In the event that the hat is damaged in a particular spot, the preferred remedial action is to change the damaged panel or panels whatever the case might be instead of discarding the headwear entirely.
An additional embodiment of the adjustable hat is illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. In this embodiment the head covering portion of the article is connected to the bottom portion of the headwear. This embodiment utilizes the plurality of individual panels and offers even more variations of this invention. Wherein the upper portion of the invention as shown in FIG. 7 is entirely detached from the lower portion of the adjustable hat, the bottom portion is worn as a headband or a visor.
The bottom portion or the base of the adjustable hat is adapted to various shapes and geometry including but not limited to oval, circle, triangle, square and hexagon and this flexibility allows for the adjustable hat to adapt various shapes including but not limited to pyramid, semi circle, mask or cartoon characters.
Referring to FIG. 15, an embodiment of the invention with more than one adjustment mechanism is illustrated. This plurality enhances the function of this invention by offering better and improved fit that result in enhanced stability of the headwear. The stability of any head gear is essential to the usability of it and the two adjustable mechanisms in this invention ensure improved stability and better fit.
The first adjustable mechanism is located at the bottom opening of the headwear and, the second adjustable mechanism is located between the bottom openings and the top of the headwear. Other variation of this embodiment include for more than two adjustable mechanism.
FIG. 9 illustrates the bottom portion of the adjustable hat. In this variation, the said article is connected to the upper portion of the head gear or maybe utilized a standalone visor. FIG. 10 refers to the adjustable lower portion of the adjustable hat where the adjustment mechanism is a variable band with clasp. FIG. 11 illustrates the lower part of the adjustable hat where the mechanism by which the adjustments are performed is pins and matching holes. FIG. 12 refers to the lower portion of the adjustable hat with the adjustment system is comprised of Velcro. The variations of this embodiment are used as visors in addition to being connected to the upper portion of the present invention.
In FIG. 4 the upper portion of the adjustable hat is illustrated where the second adjustment is achieved utilizing a variable band and clasp mechanism. In FIG. 5, the second adjustment mechanism is shown located in the upper portion of the hat using pins and matching holes. FIG. 6 illustrates the second adjustment system located in the upper portion of the hat whereby the adjustment mechanism is Velcro. FIG. 16 illustrates the second adjustment, which is located, in the upper portion of the adjustable hat is comprised of a panel that is folded in a fan like manner and resembles an accordion. The folds adjust to the required size once the headwear is worn by the user.
FIG. 17 shows the top portion made of hard material, and in another example, the individual panels to be connected to the top hard part.
Another variation of the adjustable hat invention as suggested by FIG. 2 is the utilization of the article as a rimless hat. The rimless variation is worn by an animal during outings and other excursions. The rimless adjustable hat is used for animals for the identification purposes as well as providing protection to the animal.
One embodiment is: An article of manufacture for the purpose of covering a head, said article comprising of:
a head cover having multiple vertical panels; and
an open bottom having a circumferential portion;
wherein said head cover is rimless or bill-less;
wherein said multiple vertical panels are sewn together; and
wherein said head cover stands on its own structure.
The hat can also be folded and stored away, in a pocket (in a jacket or coat).
Some of the utilities of the bill-less hat are:

- Blocks sweat from running into eyes.
- During a fitness workout, the bill-less hat does not interfere with the workout equipment—such as lying on a bench.
- When driving, the bill-less hat (or bill) does not hit the seat. If you are wearing a billed hat backwards, for example, the bill would hit the seat, so you would have to turn the hat around. No need to do this with a bill-less hat.
- When taking video or still pictures, a bill-less hat does not interfere with the lens.

The rimless hat may have rim attached as an accessory. It may stand on its own structure, on any other object (i.e. it does not flatten out on a desk, for example). The rimless hat may be used by itself. It may be reversible in direction/orientation, or reversible inside-out, worn backward, or worn inside-out. It may have one or more adjustment mechanisms, for size adjustment, or just for the look. The hat may have panels, and the panels of the hat maybe in the rimless format or with-rim format. Any of the combinations above is also a variation of our teaching. Any variation of the above teaching is also intended to be covered by the current application.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture for the purpose of covering a head, said article comprising of:

a head cover having multiple vertical panels; and

an open bottom having a circumferential portion;

wherein said head cover is rimless or bill-less;

wherein said multiple vertical panels are sewn together; and

wherein said head cover stands on its own structure.

2. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article is made of one or more of the following material: cotton, wool, plastic, Spandex, meshed, or elastic material.

3. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article comprises a first adjustment mechanism and a second adjustment mechanism;

wherein said first adjustment mechanism is located at said open bottom of said head cover, and said second adjustment mechanism located between said open bottom of said head cover and top of said head cover.

4. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article comprises an adjustment mechanism.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein said first adjustment mechanism and said second adjustment mechanism are Ziplock-type connectors or Velcro connectors.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article is made of a synthetic or waterproof material.

7. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said head cover is reversible inside-out.

8. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article is foldable to a flat structure.

9. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article is connected to one or more rims, visors, blinds, shades, or bills.

10. The article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein said second adjustment mechanism or said first adjustment mechanism are made of elastic material.

11. The article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein said second adjustment mechanism resembles an accordion.

12. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein top portion of said head cover is made of a hard material.

13. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article is reversible, in direction, with respect to said head.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein said second adjustment mechanism is opened, and said article is worn as a headband.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 3, wherein said second adjustment mechanism is fully opened, and said article is worn as a standalone visor.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said open bottom of said article is in the shape of an oval, square, triangle, hexagonal, or circle.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article is in the shape of pyramid, semi-sphere, cartoon character, mask, or head.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article comprises holes for ventilation.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article is worn by an animal, as a head gear for protection.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said article comprises different colors and different materials.