Hat with attachable and interchangeable hairpiece

Abstract

A hat with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece may be of any style and has one or more attachment points to which a hairpiece may be removably affixed. Hairpieces in various colors, lengths and styles may be provided, such that the user may interchange the styles with the hat to achieve varying looks.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/875,318, filed Sep. 9, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to hairpieces and related accessories and in particular to a hat with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece. Many individuals are suffering from medical conditions such as alopecia, or taking medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy as a result of cancer, which cause substantial hair loss. Other users experience hair loss and thinning due to the aging process or may simply want to change their hairstyle temporarily. Particularly in the case of cancer patients, these individuals have no choice in the changes their bodies will go through, even to save their own lives. Loss of the ability to maintain their usual appearance and style lowers self-esteem and causes emotional depression, which only adds to the difficulties already faced by these individuals. A realistic system for restoring the appearance of these individuals would be well received. A hat with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece would help to resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a hat with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece. The hat may be of any style and has one or more attachment points to which a hairpiece may be removably affixed. Hairpieces in various colors, lengths and styles may be provided, such that the user may interchange the styles with the hat to achieve varying looks.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of the hairpiece component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the hairpiece 10, and the male attachment points 11.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the hat component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the hat 12, and the female attachment points 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a hat 12 with an attachable and interchangeable hairpiece 10. The hat 12 may be of any style and has one or more female attachment points 13 to which a hairpiece 10 may be removably affixed. Hairpieces 10 in various colors, lengths and styles may be provided, such that the user may interchange the styles with the hat 12 to achieve varying looks. The hair styles contemplated include braided, curled, straight, or in a ponytail. Short and long length hair of varying hues is also contemplated.

The first exemplary embodiment consists of two or more components: the hat component, and one or a plurality of hairpiece components. The hat 12 may be of any style that is adequate to conceal the female attachment points 13. The female attachment points 13 are preferably arranged in pairs, in a symmetrical horizontal row around the widest circumference of the user's head, covering at least the occipital and temporal areas of the user's head. The male attachment points 11 are provided in corresponding locations on the hairpiece 10 for a smooth and natural transition along the edge between the hairpiece 10 and the hat 12. The female attachment points 13, and the corresponding male attachment points on the hairpiece 10, may be hook-and-loop fabric strips, metal or plastic snaps, or any other similar fastening device.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user selects a hairpiece 10, and uses the male attachment points 11 to affix the hairpiece 10 to the hat 12, at the female attachment points 13. The user then puts on the hat 12, adjusting both the hat 12 and hairpiece 10 as desired for a perfect fit and a natural appearance.

The hairpiece 10 is preferably manufactured from flexible, durable materials that closely simulate the user's natural human hair, such as human hair or acrylic fibers. The male attachment points 11 and female attachment points 13 are preferably manufactured from durable materials such as steel, aluminum, plastic, and nylon. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A system of a hat and hairpiece comprising:

(a) a hat component;

(b) at least one hairpiece component;

(c) a plurality of female attachment points;

(d) said plurality of female attachment points being affixed to said hat component and positioned on the inside circumference of said hat component;

(e) a plurality of male attachment points;

(f) said plurality of male attachment points being affixed to said at least one hairpiece component;

(g) said plurality of male attachment points being positioned on said hairpiece component to correspond to said plurality of female attachment points;

(h) said plurality of male attachment points and said female attachment points being equal in number; and

(i) said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points being configured so as to be mutually releasably attachable.

2. The system of a hat and hairpiece of claim 1 wherein said at least one hairpiece component is provided in a variety of colors lengths and styles such that said at least one hairpiece component may be mixed and matched with said hat component.

3. The system of a hat and hairpiece of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one hairpiece component is of a style selected from the group of braided, curled, straight, and ponytail.

4. The system of a hat and hairpiece of claim 2 wherein at least one of said at least one hairpiece component is of a style selected from the group of braided, curled, straight, and ponytail.

5. The system of a hat and hairpiece of claim 1 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are both arranged in pairs and in a symmetrical horizontal row about the widest inner circumference of said hat component.

6. The system of a hat and hairpiece of claim 2 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are both arranged in pairs and in a symmetrical horizontal row about the widest inner circumference of said hat component.

7. The system of a hat and hairpiece of claim 3 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are both arranged in pairs and in a symmetrical horizontal row about the widest inner circumference of said hat component.

8. The system of a hat and hairpiece of claim 4 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are both arranged in pairs and in a symmetrical horizontal row about the widest inner circumference of said hat component.

9. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 1 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are compatible hook-and-loop fabric strips.

10. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 1 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are snaps.

11. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 2 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are compatible hook-and-loop fabric strips.

12. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 2 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are snaps.

13. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 3 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are compatible hook-and-loop fabric strips.

14. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 3 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are snaps.

15. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 5 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are compatible hook-and-loop fabric strips.

16. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 5 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are snaps.

17. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 7 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are compatible hook-and-loop fabric strips.

18. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 7 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are snaps.

19. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 8 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are compatible hook-and-loop fabric strips.

20. The system of hat and hairpiece of claim 8 wherein said plurality of male attachment points and said plurality of female attachment points are snaps.