Patents Examined by Diana Biefeld
  • Patent number: 5666668
    Abstract: A baseball-style cap unencumbered by a bill or visor. A brimless baseball-style cap has the advantages of being lightweight, requires less structure and therefore less material, is inexpensive and provides opportunities for unique attachments. The baseball-style cap of the instant invention replaces the bill or visor with a decorative cloth and/or chin strap with ear cushions. Since many people wear baseball caps backwards or in reverse, the decorative cloth which will hang down behind the head and neck will provide an opportunity for the wearers to display their favorite logo or design in a unique and exciting way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Chad N. Ronquillo
  • Patent number: 5666669
    Abstract: A modified baseball cap comprises a dome-shaped shell having optional size adjustment means located thereon. A bill of shortened outward length is either securely or releasably attached to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Louis Sewell
  • Patent number: 5664261
    Abstract: Headwear providing protection against the sun includes a crown, brim and drape all formed of a lightweight, water repellant fabric and which is readily foldable into a flat condition. With the brim extending no less than 180 degrees about the crown lower edge and conjoined to the drape, full circle shielding against sun rays is achieved. Flotation of the headwear is assured by the inclusion of a closed cell foam layer intermediate two fabric layers defining the brim. The provision of open mesh ventilation panels in the lateral portions of the crown dissipates heat buildup within the crown while alternate positioning of the drape is accomplished through the engagement of a releasable fastener element on the lower portion of the drape, with a mating fastener element on the rear of the crown. Adaptability to various head sizes is facilitated by the action of an elasticized segment at the rear of the headwear plus the alternate provision of an adjustable strap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Robbin J. Lacy
  • Patent number: 5659900
    Abstract: A bicycle helmet is disclosed having a flexible, articulated member depending from the rear of the helmet, providing a closer fit to an individual wearer's head and improving stability of the helmet on the head, particularly for mountain bike riding. The articulated member contacts the wearer's head beneath the occipital region and applies a forward and upward pressure against the head. The general embodiment of the invention includes an elastic strap stretching from one side of the helmet, across the back of the articulated member, to the opposite side of the helmet. Adjusting this strap allows the wearer to adjust the forward and upward pressure exerted by the articulated member on the wearer's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel D. Arney, Andrew G. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 5659896
    Abstract: An improved visor includes a C-shaped band which fits around the head of the user and includes a brim attached to the band. A pliable cloth sleeve is provided which removably fits over the visor. The sleeve is removed for washing when soiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: Nellie F. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5657490
    Abstract: A hat having elongated support members extending from the exterior of the crown of the hat, for supporting the hat upon the head of the wearer, to prevent the hat from causing any undue adverse affect to the wearer's hair style. An alternative embodiment of the hat further includes a casing having a framing that is either attached to the crown or a brim, which framing may be twisted to collapse the hat into a small compact size and shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Tomima L. Edmark
  • Patent number: 5655222
    Abstract: The firefighter's garment of the invention comprises an inner liner attached to and located within an outer shell of abrasion resistant material. The inner liner consists of a layer of a thermally insulating material attached to a layer of moisture resistant material along a plurality of seams that extend around the periphery of the liner such that the area enclosed by the layers is completely enclosed. A plurality of releasable fasteners are positioned at desired locations in the garment, preferably in the seams, to allow the firefighter to visually inspect the area enclosed by the moisture resistant layer and the thermally insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Morning Pride Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Grilliot, Mary I. Grilliot
  • Patent number: 5655225
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a detachable protective headgear attachment for engagement to a hat having an upturned inner band. The headgear attachment comprises substantially rectangular engagement clips having upper and lower portions, and upper and lower tabs, wherein the upper tab extends from the upper portion and the lower tab extends from the lower portion, the upper and lower tabs being opposingly situated. The headgear attachment further comprises a substantially rectangular flexible protective shield comprising an upper and lower portion, wherein the engagement clips are attached to the upper portion of the flexible shield, and wherein the flexible shield depends from the engagement clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Signwear Inc.
    Inventor: D. Stephen Mathers
  • Patent number: 5655224
    Abstract: A detachable flower wire tie including a fabric stem enclosing a pliable metal wire, the wire having a hook formed at each of its ends, a pair of bulbs made by wrapping the corresponding ends of the stem around each of the hooks, and a pair of detachable fabric rings, each enclosing an elastic band designed to slidably engage the fabric stem in a functional and decorative manner, particularly when the flowerette and its corresponding bulb are in close proximity to one another and the stem ends are twisted together, similar to a pair of interlocking flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Betsy G. Sears
  • Patent number: 5652959
    Abstract: A head wear system including a sizing band and a hat. The sizing band is distinct from the hat. The hat comprises a bill and a cap having an opening at the back as well as a headband. The head wear system also includes a first and second adjustment means for selectively nondestructively attaching each end of the sizing band to the hat in a longitudinal relationship therebetween selected by the wearer. When the sizing band is attached to the hat by the first and second adjusting means, the sizing band extends across the opening of the cap. The head wear system also comprises an ornament, a cover means for accessorizing the hat, and an attachment means for selectively nondestructively connecting the cover means and ornament to the crown of the cap. One embodiment of the sizing band functions as a skin stencil and comprises a substrate transparent to ultraviolet radiation and a design opaque to ultraviolet radiation that is attached to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Michael K. Proctor
  • Patent number: 5649327
    Abstract: A cap, hat, or visor is provided with a headband. The headband has an inner face for engaging the head of a wearer and an outer face. An elongate pocket is formed in the outer face portion of the headband extending along at least half of the headband circumference. An outer closure in the pocket shields the pocket contents from view and contamination. A foldable neckpiece is attached to the interior of the pocket. It may be folded up and contained within the pocket or unfolded to protectively cover the ears and neck. The neckpiece may be detachable for laundering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Ian Crewe
  • Patent number: 5647064
    Abstract: A baseball cap having an internal shape retainer and support assembly affixed to the interior of the crown portion of the cap. The shape retainer and support assembly comprises a flexible body having a spine and several prongs or arms projecting outwardly from the spine. The arms are flexed and positioned between the inner surface of the crown and the sweatband or liner of the cap. The button of the cap is used to secure the shape retainer in place. The flexible nature of the shape retainer counteracts the tendency of the cap crown to droop or sag and helps to maintain the original shape of the cap. In addition, fasteners can be installed on the spine of the shape retainer so that small items can be attached thereto for carrying in the space between the cap and the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Byron J. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 5644799
    Abstract: A headgear accessory is adaptable to an existing cap, hat, hood, or other article worn on the head, to cover a hole or passage formed therein to provide for the passage of the hair of the wearer therethrough. Using the present headgear accessory, a hole may be placed in the headgear at a location comfortable for the passage of longer hair (e.g., ponytail, braid, etc.) therethrough, and the accessory sewn or otherwise secured to the headgear to provide a decorative closure for the hole. The accessory is preferably formed of a resilient, flexible material such as neoprene sheet, with a synthetic fabric overlay for additional strength and to provide a more attractive appearance. A series of slots are formed in the neoprene/fabric sheet, through which the wearer's hair is passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventors: Vincent Armenta, Louis J. Cruz, Henry S. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 5642528
    Abstract: A hair spray screen includes a semi-circular spring headband, a flexible transparent protective sheet extending downwardly from the headband, and a separate semi-circular spring neckband. To use, the headband is clipped around a user's forehead, so that the protective sheet is draped over the user's face and neck. The neckband is clipped around the neck over the sheet to secure the lower portion of the sheet. When worn, the hair spray screen protects the user from hair spray and other airborne substances commonly used at home and in beauty salons. It is easy to don and remove. It frees both hands of the user when worn, and it does not disturb the user's hairdo. It is also collapsible for transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Helen A. Dering
  • Patent number: 5640718
    Abstract: A firefighter garment which includes an outer shell, a thermal layer and a combination moisture barrier and facecloth. In the preferred embodiment, the combination moisture barrier and facecloth layer includes a semi-permeable component, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, which is attached to a facecloth material of a high lubricity filament yarn. The semi-permeable component functions as a moisture barrier and the filament yarn component provides a low friction interface between the garment and its wearer, thereby reducing heat stress imposed on the wearer of the garment during firefighting activity. The filament component also functions as a substrate for the moisture barrier. In the preferred embodiment, the thermal liner includes a layer of apertured flame and heat resistant unicellular or closed cell foam which is positioned between the outer shell and the combination moisture barrier and facecloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Lion Apparel, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Aldridge
  • Patent number: 5640721
    Abstract: A strong, lightweight, soft, pliable, perspiration absorbent, economically disposable, foldable to a small packageable size, and reusable, sweatband (15) formed from a unitary body member comprising a perspiration absorbing pad (4) with drain channel (5) and a perspiration absorbing see through removable wiping towel/veil/windscreen (8) which can be protected from perspiration by a removable perspiration shield (14) provided in the pocket (7) of the sweatband to prevent the removable wiping towel (8) from becoming wet from perspiration if the wearer prefers not to have the wiping towel wet. Money, identification, packaged antimicrobial wipes and other items may also be carried in the sweatband pocket (7). The folded, porus, see through, removable wiping towel/veil/windscreen (8), can be easily removed by one hand from the sweatband through a access opening (12) located on the front face of the sweatbands second elongated envelope (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Robert C. Jackson
    Inventor: Robert Charles Jackson
  • Patent number: 5638547
    Abstract: An outer shell is stitched to an outer collar part which is in turn stitched to an inner collar part. A moisture barrier is stitched to and disposed between the inner and outer collar parts. A separate liner has an upper edge portion having fastening means thereon which cooperate with fastening means on the inner collar part and the moisture barrier for removably securing the upper edge portion of the liner to the inner collar part and the moisture barrier. The moisture barrier extends above and below the upper edge portion of the liner when the collar is in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Globe Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joyce A. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 5636383
    Abstract: A rotatable, head mounted support apparatus for supporting drywall and other ceiling panels during the construction of a ceiling. The rotatable, head mounted support apparatus is preferably secured to the top of a hard hat, and includes rotatable, turntable-type bearing which allows a construction worker to freely swivel his or her head during the installation of a drywall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Thomas W. Cwiakala
  • Patent number: 5636384
    Abstract: This invention is a headband and bow combination where the bows can be changed to create different looks. The headband has an over-hand knot tied in it, which may be loosened to receive a bow and then tightened to hold the bow in place. The headband is of an expandable material and the wearing of the headband around the user's head serves to maintain the knot in its tightened condition and correspondingly maintain the bow in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventors: Bonnie Draughon, Shelle Soelberg
  • Patent number: 5632047
    Abstract: An attachment useful for a conventional type sports cap which has a fabric dome, a headband surrounding the dome, a pair of straps at the rear of the cap for adjustment of the size of the headband and an opening in the dome of the cap above the straps. The attachment has a planar member having a first surface, a second surface, a top area and an opposite bottom area. An indicia means is provided on the first surface for displaying a trademark and/or logo. At least one fastening means is provided on the top area of the second surface for removably fastening the attachment means to the fabric of the cap. There is at least one fastening member on the bottom area of the second surface for removably fastening the attachment to the strap of the cap. Preferably the fastening member is a hook member which hooks onto the straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Ernest A. Van Den Heuvel