HEADGEAR ACCESSORY CLIP

Abstract

A headgear accessory clip includes a tab member having an aperture of a predetermined equivalent diameter secured to a split-ring member of a predetermined diameter, a predetermined thickness and a preselected material having two ends defining an elastic opening having a predetermined separation. The aperture in the tab member can engage with the cord of an accessory useful to a headgear wearer, such as ear plugs or earphones.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/026,787 filed Feb. 7, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to accessories for hard hats and, more particularly, this invention relates to devices for conveniently attaching items like corded earplugs to hard hats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, wearers of hard hats in construction and industrial settings have often had to search for their hearing protection when needed. Most hard hats now have slots for attaching ear muffs that can be stored against the shell, and swung over the ears as needed. These muffs add considerably to the weight of the hard hat, and that is very undesirable for those who wear their hard hat for a large part of the day. Leight in U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,082 disclosed a lighter ear protection assembly for mounting on hard hats, but this style apparently has not caught on commercially. Therefore, lighter replaceable earplugs are still preferred by most, but keeping these readily accessible for occasions when they are required has been a drawback.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,581,821 and 6,902,029 both disclose a storage compartment attachable to hard hats and with retractable mechanisms for tethered ear plugs. Mortenson in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,226 discloses a compartment attachable to the shell of hard hats for storing ear plugs. Montesi in U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,657 discloses an accessory for hard hats that attaches to the rim and can engage various cords and bands. One common characteristic of the above references is that they all attach to the hard shell of the hard hat. Hard hats typically consist of a hard protective shell on an adjustable suspension system. A preferred fit adjustment method is the ratchet type, which enables rapid one-hand adjustment of the fit. Examples of hard hats, suspensions, and ear plugs can be readily found at www.msanorthamerica.com. The only known reference describing attachment of items to the hard hat suspension is that in published U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0177928, which discloses a lanyard that can be attached to the suspension, but there would need to be a separate one for each ear plug if used for that purpose. Another common trait of the aforementioned references is the relative complexity and hence cost relative to the ear plugs themselves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a headgear accessory clip including a tab member having an aperture of a predetermined equivalent diameter secured to a split-ring member of a predetermined diameter, a predetermined thickness and a preselected material having two ends defining an elastic opening having a predetermined separation. The aperture in the tab member can engage with the cord of an accessory useful to a headgear wearer, such as ear plugs or earphones. The split ring may be made of plastic, metal, or an elastomer.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive device for conveniently attaching cord-connected items to headgear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to use device that can keep ear plugs conveniently available to hard hat users.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hard hat accessory clip that readily attaches to ratchet knobs of the hard hat suspension.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight multi-purpose headgear accessory clip.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above, it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is provides a perspective view of the present invention engaging with a tether cord of a pair of ear plugs.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with a corded accessory attached and the invention removably engaged around the adjustment wheel of a hard hat suspension.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the present invention on an adjustment knob at the rear of a hard hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the present invention, generally represented as 10, is shown in a perspective view. The main body is a split ring member 12 thin enough to flex under tension and create an elastic opening 15 between the two ends 14. The thickness is between 0.1 and 0.3 inches, and the material of construction is preferably a thermoplastic, but it could be metal or rubber as well. When at rest, the diameter of the split ring is in the range of 1.0 to 3.0 inches and the separation gap 15 at the ends of the ring is between 0.05 and 0.75 inches. Removed from the split end 15 is a protruding tab member 16 which preferably is an integral part of the split ring member 12. An aperture 17 of any shape is formed in or by the tab 16 for the purpose of engaging with a tether cord 18 of an accessory that may typically be useful to a hard hat user. The tab member and aperture combination may also be attached to other means for connecting to headgear. This aperture will typically have a diameter or an equivalent diameter of about 0.1 to 0.5 inches. For non-circular apertures, the equivalent diameter is the perimeter of the opening divided by π. In the illustration, a pair of ear plugs 21 connected by the cord 18 is the example. A loop 20 has been formed by pushing part of the cord 18 through the aperture 17. The two ear plugs 21 can be threaded through the loops 20 to securely hold them to the split ring member 12.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention 10 engaged with the ratchet adjusting knob 32 on the adjustment band 30 of a hard hat suspension 37. The elastic opening of the split ring 12 was spread apart to removably attach it around a shaft of the adjusting knob 32. The cord 20 of an item being attached is threaded through the aperture 17 in the tab 16. The hard hat user can put the plugs in the ear without disconnecting anything from the hard hat 38. If desired, the ring 12 and item can be removed by pulling hard on the split ring 12, which spreads the ends of the ring allowing it to come away from the adjusting knob 32.

FIG. 3 provides a close-up elevation view of the present invention viewed from the rear of a hard hat. The split ring 12 has been removably engaged around the portion of the adjustment knob 32 closest to the size adjustment band 30. The aperture 17 in the protrusion 16 has been used to engage with the cord 18 of an accessory such as a pair of ear plugs. In this example, the accessory items have been fed through the loop 20 in the cord 18 to securely attach it.

While a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A headgear accessory clip comprising:

a) a tab member having a first predetermined shape;

b) an aperture having a second predetermined shape and a preselected equivalent diameter formed through said tab member; and

c) a means engageable with said tab member and said headgear for retaining said tab member in a predetermined location.

2. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined shape of said tab member is one of substantially rectangular, round, triangular and oval.

3. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 1, wherein said second predetermined shape of said aperture is one of substantially rectangular, round, triangular and oval.

4. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 1, wherein said headgear is one of a hard hat, a ball cap, a visor, and a headband.

5. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 1, wherein said means engageable with said tab member and said headgear is a split-ring member of a predetermined diameter, a predetermined thickness and a preselected material having two ends defining an elastic opening having a predetermined separation.

6. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined diameter is between about one and three inches.

7. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined material is one of a substantially rigid thermoplastic, an elastomer, and metal.

8. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined separation is between about 0.05 and 0.75 inches.

9. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 5, wherein said first predetermined thickness is between about 0.2 and 0.5 inches.

10. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined equivalent diameter is between about 0.1 and 0.5 inches.

11. The headgear accessory clip, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined location is proximal at least one ear of a person.