Comfort Headband
A headband (10) is provided as a unitary body comprising a top portion (20) and two side portions (30). The side portions (30) include curvilinear ear portions that generally follow a contour behind an ear of a wearer. The top portion (20) may include a non-planar surface that faces the head of the wearer, providing space between the headband and the head of the wearer and allowing the hair of the wearer to “lift” away from may include hinges (42) in the joints between the top portion (20) and side portions (30), allowing the headband to be folded. Other features may be included to provide comfort, convenience, security of fit, or aesthetics. The headband may be comprised of any material, including synthetic or natural such as, but not limited to, an elastomer or foam. The headband may be translucent, transparent, or opaque.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/628,055, filed Nov. 15, 2004, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in fall herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to headbands.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe use of a headband for the purpose of holding a wearer's hair for convenience and/or decoration is well known. A headband may allow a wearer to keep his or her hair back and away from his or her face. Conventional headbands are substantially arcuate, which renders a fit that typically conforms closely to the head of a wearer. It may be desirable to provide a headband that allows for aesthetically pleasing presentation of the hair of the wearer by holding the hair back in a manner that allows the hair to “lift” away from the head.
Conventional headbands may also be relatively uncomfortable for the wearer because the side portions can terminate behind the ears at a tender region of the wearer's head. It may be desirable to provide a headband that is more comfortable for the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention provide headbands that allow the hair of a wearer to lift away from the head. Further, embodiments of the present invention provide headbands that can include comfort-ear configurations to inhibit discomfort.
Embodiments of the present invention provide headbands that include a top portion and a first and second elongate side portion. The top portion has opposed first and second distal end portions and a surface facing the wearer's head. The elongate side portions are connected to the distal ends of the top portion. The elongate side behind an ear.
The connection between the top portion and the side portions may be a hinged joint or a fixed joint. A hinged joint allows the headband to be folded when not being worn, similar to many sunglasses. The joint may be configured such that the side portions may angle substantially inward toward the wearer's head, thus allowing more space for hair and/or a more secure fit on the wearer.
Headbands of the present invention may include an earband that extends below a medial location of the ear of the wearer and may curve toward the base of the ear. Such an earband advantageously avoids a tender region of the head of the wearer. Alternatively or in addition to this feature, the earband may include a branch that arcs around the top portion of the ear of the wearer. The earband may include a resilient material or sleeve coating that may aid in the comfort of the wearer. Another embodiment provides an earband that has a channel portion in the region through which a portion of a pair of glasses can pass when the wearer dons the pair of glasses over her eyes.
In some embodiments, the headbands of the present invention may be configured for different sizes and shapes of heads, such as for children or other persons.
In some embodiments, the headbands of the present invention may be configured to simulate sunglasses, having the shape and/or appearance of sunglasses but without actual lenses.
Other embodiments of the present invention include display stands for the headbands. The display stands may be rotatable and configured to releasably hold the headbands in a position that makes the top portions externally viewable and allows the elongate side portions to extend inwardly into the display stand. Alternatively, the display stands may be configured to hold the headbands with the first and second elongate end portions folded against each other.
The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. It will be appreciated that although discussed with respect to a certain headband embodiment, features or operations of one headband embodiment can apply to others. It will be understood that the possessive “his” or “her” is used only for convenience and no gender limitation is implied thereby.
In the drawings, the thickness of lines, layers, features, components and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when a feature is referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Also as shown in
Another embodiment, in which there are multiple nadir regions 22, is shown in
As shown in
The elongate side portions 30 may be connected to the top portion 20 via joints 40. In some embodiments, the joint 40 may pivotally attach the top portion 20 to the elongate side portions 30, which may be configured to fold toward each other. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, as shown for example in
As shown in
Comfort to the wearer may be further provided in an earband 32 that includes a increased thickness region 34, as shown for example in
The increased thickness region 34 need not cover the entire earband 32, as
As shown in
Another embodiment of the present invention is a set of headbands 10, each having a predetermined different top portions 20 span width, predetermined different elongate side portion 30 lengths and/or predetermined different other dimensions to thereby provide user selectable headband 10 sizes. A set of headbands 10 may include a first set of different adult sizes and a second set of different child sizes. An example of a headband 10 for a child is shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The anti-slip feature 75 can extend across a portion of a forward and/or medial portion of the underside of the headband 10. As shown in
Headbands 10 according to the present invention may be displayed in a display stand 50. As shown for example in
The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, when used, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
Claims
1. A headband, comprising:
- a top portion having opposing first and second distal end portions, the top portion having a primary surface that, in position, faces the wearer's head; and
- first and second elongate side portions, each connected to a respective one of the top portion first and second distal end portions, wherein the first and second elongate side portions include a lower curvilinear ear portion that generally follows a contour behind an ear.
2. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the primary surface that faces the wearer's head is non-planar.
3. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the lower curvilinear ear portion is configured to terminate at a location behind the ear that is below the outer opening of the ear canal.
4. A headband according to claim 3, wherein the lower curvilinear ear portion is configured to bend forward toward the face of the wearer.
5. A headband according to claim 4, wherein below the bend a lower portion of the lower curvilinear ear portion then extends along a generally straight line that angles forward and downward.
6. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the lower curvilinear ear portion is configured to terminate at a location behind the ear that is in positional agreement with the bottom of the ear.
7. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the lower curvilinear ear portion includes a branch that is configured to reside above the ear of the wearer.
8. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the lower curvilinear ear portion of the first and second elongate side portions each includes a channel sized and configured to receive a portion of one leg of a pair of glasses when the wearer concurrently wears the glasses for viewing.
9. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the lower curvilinear portion has an increased thickness region that has additional thickness relative to an adjacent upper portion of the first or second elongate side portions.
10. A headband according to claim 9, wherein the increased thickness region comprises a coating selected to provide increased friction and/or resilient cushion behind the ear of the wearer.
11. A headband according to claim 9, wherein the increased thickness region comprises a sleeve selected to provide increased friction and/or resilient cushion behind the ear of the wearer.
12. A headband according to claim 9, wherein the increased thickness region comprises an external resilient material that encapsulates an outer surface of a portion of the lower curvilinear ear portion of the headband.
13. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the top portion comprises a primary portion intermediate the first and second distal end portions, and wherein the first and second distal end portions are configured to extend downward a distance below the primary portion.
14. A headband according to claim 13, wherein the first and second distal end portions extend generally vertically downward when viewed from the front.
15. A headband according to claim 14, wherein the first and second elongate side portions taper from a first width at a top portion to a second lesser width at a medial and/or bottom portion.
16. A headband according to claim 2, wherein the non-planar surface of the top portion of the headband is defined by a unitary member that is configured to symmetrically rise, when viewed from the front, from the first and second distal end portions, then decline to meet at a medial region.
17. A neadband according to claim 2, wherein, when viewed from the front, the non-planar surface of the top portion that faces the wearer's head is configured with two generally concave side portions that meet at a medial nadir.
18. A headband according to claim 17, wherein, when viewed from the top, the non-planar surface comprises first and second segments that meet at the medial portion and are symmetrical about that medial portion, the first and second segments having a perimeter contour that widens out from the distal end portions and then tapers in to merge at the medial portion.
19. A headband according to claim 19, wherein the first and second segments are opaque.
20. A headband according to claim 18, wherein the first and second segments have a shape and size that simulates a lens shape in a pair of sunglasses.
21. A headband according to claim 2, wherein, when viewed from the front, the non-planar surface of the top portion of the headband is configured with a plurality of upwardly oriented arcuate portions that define a plurality of spaced apart hair-contact regions.
22. A headband according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the front, the headband has a shape that is non-arcuate.
23. A headband according to claim 2, wherein the top portion comprises a frame and first and second segments that merge at a generally medial location, wherein the first and second segments extend outwardly away from the frame but taper toward the frame at the generally medial location, and wherein the headband is configured to be worn with the frame facing rearward.
24. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the wearer has a head with a face and hair on a top portion of the head and about sides of the face, and wherein, in position, the headband first and second elongate side portions and/or distal end sides of the face.
25. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate side portions pivotally attach to the top portion.
26. A headband according to claim 25, wherein the first and second elongate side portions are configured to fold toward each other.
27. A headband according to claim 26, wherein the first and second elongate side portions are hinged to a respective one of the opposing distal end portions of the top portion of the headband.
28. A headband according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the front, the top portion has a primary body shape with uppermost points, and wherein the first and second elongate side portions are generally orthogonal to a line drawn tangent to the uppermost points of the primary body shape.
29. A headband according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the front, the top portion has a primary body shape with uppermost points, and wherein, in position, the first and second elongate side portions are oriented to extend downwardly and toward the other side portion at an angle of between about 45-75 degrees relative to a line drawn tangent to uppermost points of the primary body shape.
30. A headband according to claim 1, further comprising an anti-slip feature on the primary surface.
31. A headband according to claim 1, wherein the top portion of the headband angularly inclines from a lower forward portion to a higher rearward portion when viewed from the side.
32. A headband according to claim 1, further comprising a set of headbands, each having a predetermined different top portion span width, predetermined different thereby provide user selectable headband sizes.
33. A headband according to claim 32, wherein the set of headbands includes a first set of different adult sizes and a second set of different child sizes.
34. A headband, comprising:
- a top portion having opposing laterally spaced apart first and second distal end portions, the top portion having a primary surface that, in position, faces the wearer's head; and
- first and second elongate side portions, each connected to a respective one of the top portion first and second distal end portions,
- wherein the top portion angularly inclines from a lower forward portion to a higher rearward portion when viewed from the side.
35. A headband according to claim 34, wherein the primary surface comprises an anti-slip feature.
36. A headband according to claim 34, wherein the anti-slip feature comprises a anti-slip member with increased friction relative to other portions of the primary surface.
37. A headband according to claim 36, wherein the primary surface that faces the wearer's head is non-planar.
38. A display of headbands comprising:
- a display stand; and
- a plurality of different headbands configured and sized to be releasably held by the display stand, the headbands comprising a top portion having laterally opposing first and second distal end portions, the top portion having a non-planar surface that, in position, faces the wearer's head; and
- first and second elongate side portions, each connected to a respective one of the top portion first and second distal end portions, wherein the first and second the contour behind an ear.
39. A display of headbands according to claim 38, wherein the display stand is configured as an upstanding rotatable display stand configured to releasably hold the headbands in generally aligned vertical columns so that the first and second elongate side portions extend inwardly and the top portions are externally viewable.
40. A display of headbands according to claim 39, wherein the display stand is configured to hold the headbands with the first and second elongate side portions folded against each other and proximate the top portion of the headband.
41. A display of headbands according to claim 39, wherein the headbands are held in the display rack so that the lower curvilinear ear portions extend generally downward.
42. A display of headbands according to claim 38, wherein the top portion angularly inclines from a lower forward portion to a higher rearward portion when viewed from the side.
43. A headband according to claim 38, wherein the primary surface comprises an anti-slip feature.
44. A method of displaying headbands having a top portion with laterally opposing first and second distal end portions and first and second elongate side portions, each connected to a respective one of the top portion first and second distal end portions,
- placing a plurality of headbands on a display stand so that the side portions of different headbands extend generally horizontally a distance inward into a surface of the display stand and so that the top portion is externally viewable with the headbands arranged in aligned generally vertical columns.
45. A method according to claim 44, further comprising rotating the display stand.
46. A method according to claim 44, wherein the first and second elongate side portions include a lower curvilinear ear portion that is shaped to generally follow the contour behind an ear, and wherein, in position in the display stand, the outermost portion of the curvilinear ear portion faces down.
47. A method according to claim 44, wherein the top portions have a non-planar surface that, in position, faces the wearer's head.
48. A method according to claim 44, wherein the side portions comprise a channel sized to accommodate a respective leg of pair of glasses.
49. A method according to claim 44, wherein the top portion of the headband angularly inclines from a lower forward portion to a higher rearward portion when viewed from the side.
50. A method according to claim 44, wherein the primary surface of the headband comprises an anti-slip feature.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 20, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 20, 2008
Inventor: Paula Jagemann (Frederick, MD)
Application Number: 11/577,835
International Classification: A45D 8/00 (20060101); A42B 1/00 (20060101);