Convertible Hat-Handbag System And Conversion Kit
A convertible hat-handbag system is disclosed, which may be embodied as a kit for converting a hat into a handbag. When the hat is not being worn, the hat may be turned upside down and folded to bring opposing portions of the hat's brim together over a crown of the hat. A clasp may be used to hold the opposing portions of the brim together. A handle may be coupled to the clasp via a strap for carrying the hat along with any loose articles placed in the crown. A pouch may be provided for organizing the loose articles in the crown. In some examples, the clasp comprises magnetic members that pinch the opposing portions of the brim together with enough force to suspend the weight of the hat and loose articles from the handle.
A hat is a timeless article of clothing that can be both functional and fashionable. There are a myriad of different styles of hats to suit one's fashion tastes while performing necessary functions like protecting the head and keeping the sun out of the eyes of the wearer. There are many occasions, however, when the user desires to remove a hat when away from home or otherwise has no convenient place to put the hat. When that happens, the hat is one more article that the user must carry and keep track of until reaching his or her destination.
These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the method.
Disclosed herein is a Hat-and-Carry™ system used to convert a hat to a handbag for easily carrying the hat along with other loose articles in the hat. The hat may be worn normally when desired. When not being worn, a user may quickly and easily convert the hat to a handbag with a handle. The handle makes it easier to carry the hat when not being worn. Loose articles (e.g., personal items) may also be stowed in the crown of the hat and carried as well. The Hat-and-Carry™ system may be embodied, for example, as a kit for easily converting any of a wide variety of hats. That way, a user may convert his or her existing hat. Alternatively, the Hat-and-Carry™ system may include the hat with features allowing it to be converted into a handbag, and which may include one or more elements pre-secured to the hat to facilitate the conversion.
One example of a conversion kit includes a clasp configured for holding opposing portions of a brim of the hat together over the crown. The clasp may be secured to the brim with sufficient force to hold a combined weight of the hat and one or more loose articles. The clasp may, more particularly, comprise magnets positionable about the opposing portions of the brim with sufficient attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together while supporting the combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat. A pouch may also be provided with one or more compartments for organizing the loose articles inside the crown. A strap may be included for coupling the hat to a handle suspended from a carry strap. The strap may be replaceable with different designs, such as to visually coordinate the Hat-and-Carry™ system with other clothing articles.
Components of the system 10 such as the example in
The strap 50 in this kit 100 is coupled to the handle 40. More particularly, in this example, the strap 50 passes over and through the handle 40, and extends down on either side of the handle 40, a first strap leg 51 and a second strap leg 52. The two strap legs 51, 52 are optionally interconnected by a center section 53 extending over and through the handle 40. The center section 53 may be a separate piece of fabric from the strap legs 51, 52, and may be separable from the strap legs 51, 52, such as for changing out the strap legs 51, 52 to replace them or change designs. Alternatively, the strap legs 51, 52 and center section 53 may be different portions of a unitary strip of fabric. The two strap legs 51, 52 may also be joined at a connection location 54 below the handle, such as by stitching or other fastener near the handle 40, so that the handle 40 and strap 50 remain secured to one another and stay on the handle 40 even when the kit 100 is disassembled.
The clasp 60 may comprise any of a variety of clasp members 61 and/or 62, that cooperate to secure opposing portions of the brim 22 of the hat 20 when the hat 20 is folded to bring the opposing portions of the brim 22 together over the crown 24 of the hat 20. Non-limiting examples of clasp members conceptually illustrated in the figure include ferromagnetic members 61a, 62a releasably securable to each other by ferromagnetic attraction. The ferromagnetic members 61a, 62a may comprise two magnets, or a magnet and a ferrous object, that are attracted to one another. Alternatively, the clasp members 61, 62 may comprise first and second snap members 61b, 62b that snap together with each other or other snap members or first and second hook-and-loop members 61c, 62c releasably securable to each other or other hook-and-loop members. In still other embodiments, the clasp members 61, 62 may include opposing clamp legs of a spring-loaded clamp. In yet other embodiments, the clasp 60 may comprise a slider on one or both of the strap legs 51, 52 that when moved towards ends of the strap legs may hold the opposing portions of the brim together.
In some embodiments of the kit 100, the clasp members 61, 62 may be pre-secured to the respective strap legs 51, 52 as drawn in
The pouch 70 is sized for positioning within the crown 24 of the hat 20. The pouch 70 may include at least one compartment, e.g., pockets 71, 72, and/or a zipper compartment 73 for containing one or more loose articles. The pouch can be structurally separate from the hat 20 and sized and shaped to fit within the interior of the crown 24 of the hat 20. For example, the pouch 70 may be circular to fit the generally circular shape of the crown 24, and may have a diameter of within 90% of a diameter of the crown 24. Alternatively, the pouch 70 may be securable to the hat 20 or even stitched or otherwise pre-fastened to the hat 20 so that the pouch 70 remains within the crown 24 while the hat 20 is worn. Preferably, loose articles such as keys, phone, loose change, and so forth, would be removed before wearing the hat 20 to maximize comfort, although the pouch 70 could be used to hide loose articles, such as cash and credit cards even while the user is wearing the hat 20.
The hat-handbag conversion kit 100 may also include a clip 90 for securing the handle 40 or the strap 50 to another handbag or other clothing article and for suspending the hat 20 from the another handbag or other clothing article. Any suitable configuration of a clip 90 may be used, and the one shown is merely one example of a clip.
Thus, any number of different configurations could be composed from any possible combination of the different example kit elements discussed above. One preferred example configuration of the hat-handbag conversion kit 100 may include the pouch 70 and the first and second ferromagnetic members 61c, 62c. The strap 50 may come with the first and second ferromagnetic member 61c, 62c already secured to the strap 50 rather than requiring that as a separate step by the user. When the ferromagnetic members 61c, 62c are positioned about the opposing portions of the brim 22 the ferromagnetic members 61c, 62c may grip tightly enough both to hold the opposing portions of the brim 22 together and support a combined weight of the hat 20 and its contents from the handle 40 carried by the user. Desirably, such an example configuration of the hat-handbag conversion kit could be provided without any hat, and used to reversibly convert an existing hat to a handbag without needing to pre-secure clasp members or strap to the hat. The handbag could then be converted back to a hat with the strap 50 and clasp members 61, 62 fully removed from the brim 22.
As can be appreciated in view of the foregoing discussion, the Hat-and-Carry™ system therefore encompasses a wide variety of different configurations that may be used to convert a hat to a handbag for carrying the hat and loose articles placed in the brim of the hat. Numerous elements are expressly disclosed by way of example. Any combination of these elements or equivalent variations thereof may be included in any given embodiment. The following is a non-limiting set of example configurations covered by this disclosure.
Example Configuration 1. A hat-handbag conversion kit, comprising: a clasp securable to opposing portions of a brim of a folded hat to hold the opposing portions of the brim together over a crown of the hat; and a handle coupled to the clasp, wherein the clasp is secured to the brim with sufficient force to support a combined weight of the hat and one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.
Example Configuration 2. The hat-handbag conversion kit of Example Configuration 1, wherein the clasp comprises first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together while supporting the combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.
Example Configuration 3. The hat-handbag conversion kit of Example Configuration 2, further comprising: a strap secured to the handle and to one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members.
Example Configuration 4. The hat-handbag conversion kit of Example Configuration 3, wherein the strap comprises a first strap leg secured to the first ferromagnetic member and a second strap leg secured to the second ferromagnetic member.
Example Configuration 5. The hat-handbag conversion kit of Example Configuration 4, further comprising one or more replacement strap leg interchangeable with one or both of the first strap leg and the second strap leg.
Example Configuration 6. The hat-handbag conversion kit of any of Example Configurations 1 to 5, wherein the clasp comprises a first clasp member pre-securable to one of the opposing portions of the brim and a second clasp member pre-securable to the other of the opposing portions of the brim, such that the first and second clasp members remain secured to the brim while wearing the hat and are releasably securable one to the other when the hat is folded.
Example Configuration 7. The hat-handbag conversion kit of Example Configuration 6, wherein the first and second clasp members comprise first and second ferromagnetic members releasably securable one to the other by ferromagnetic attraction, first and second snap members releasably securable by snapping together, or first and second hook-and-loop members releasably securable on contact.
Example Configuration 8. The hat-handbag conversion kit of any of Example Configurations 1 to 7, further comprising: a pouch sized for positioning within the crown of the hat and including at least one compartment for containing the one or more loose articles.
Example Configuration 9. The hat-handbag conversion kit of Example Configuration 8, wherein the pouch is structurally separate from the hat and has a diameter of within 90% of a diameter of the crown.
Example Configuration 10. The hat-handbag conversion kit of any of Example Configurations 1 to 8, wherein the pouch is securable to the hat so that the pouch remains within the crown while the hat is worn.
Example Configuration 11. The hat-handbag conversion kit of any of Example Configurations 1 to 10, further comprising a clip for securing the handle to a handbag or other clothing article and for suspending the hat from the handbag or other clothing article.
Example Configuration 12. The hat-handbag conversion kit of any of Example Configurations 1 to 10, wherein the handle comprises a ring sized to fit over an arm between a wrist and an elbow of the arm.
Example Configuration 13. A hat-handbag conversion kit, comprising: a pouch sized for positioning within a crown of a hat and including at least one compartment for containing one or more loose articles; a clasp securable to opposing portions of a brim of a folded hat to hold the opposing portions of the brim together over a crown of the hat, the clasp including first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together while supporting a combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat; a strap including a first strap leg secured to the first ferromagnetic member and a second strap leg secured to the second ferromagnetic member; and a handle secured to the clasp via the strap, wherein the clasp and the handle support a combined weight of the hat, the pouch received in the crown of the hat, and the one or more loose articles contained in the pouch.
Example Configuration 14. A convertible hat-handbag system, comprising: a hat including a crown having an open end configured for positioning over a user's head when wearing the hat and for carrying one or more loose articles when not wearing the hat, wherein the hat is foldable to bring opposing portions of the brim together over the open end of the crown when the hat is not being worn; a clasp configured for securing the opposing portions of the brim together with sufficient force to support a combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles; and a handle coupled to the clasp for supporting the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.
Example Configuration 15. The convertible hat-handbag system of Example Configuration 14, wherein the clasp comprises first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together and support the combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.
Example Configuration 16. The convertible hat-handbag system of Example Configuration 15, further comprising: a strap securable to the handle, wherein one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members are pre-secured to the strap.
Example Configuration 17. The convertible hat-handbag system of Example Configuration 15, wherein one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members are pre-secured to the brim of the hat.
Example Configuration 18. The convertible hat-handbag system of Example Configuration 14, wherein the clasp comprises a first clasp member secured to one of the opposing portions of the brim and a second clasp member secured to the other of the opposing portions of the brim, wherein the first and second clasp members are releasably securable one to the other when the hat is folded.
Example Configuration 19. The convertible hat-handbag system of Example Configuration 18, wherein the first and second clasp members comprise first and second ferromagnetic members, first and second snap members, or first and second hook-and-loop members.
Example Configuration 20. The convertible hat-handbag system of any of Example Configurations 14 to 19, further comprising: a pouch sized for positioning within the crown of the hat and including at least one compartment for containing the one or more loose articles and that fits within the crown.
For the sake of brevity, only certain example values and ranges are explicitly disclosed herein. However, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, as well as, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any other lower limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, in the same way, ranges from any upper limit may be combined with any other upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited. Additionally, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values even if not explicitly recited. Thus, every point or individual value may serve as its own lower or upper limit combined with any other point or individual value or any other lower or upper limit, to recite a range not explicitly recited.
Therefore, the present embodiments are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Although individual embodiments are discussed, all combinations of each embodiment are contemplated and covered by the disclosure. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A hat-handbag conversion kit, comprising:
- a clasp securable to opposing portions of a brim of a folded hat to hold the opposing portions of the brim together over a crown of the hat; and
- a handle coupled to the clasp, wherein the clasp is secured to the brim with sufficient force to support a combined weight of the hat and one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.
2. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 1, wherein the clasp comprises first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together while supporting the combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.
3. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 2, further comprising:
- a strap secured to the handle and to one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members.
4. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 3, wherein the strap comprises a first strap leg secured to the first ferromagnetic member and a second strap leg secured to the second ferromagnetic member.
5. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 4, further comprising one or more replacement strap leg interchangeable with one or both of the first strap leg and the second strap leg.
6. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 1, wherein the clasp comprises a first clasp member pre-securable to one of the opposing portions of the brim and a second clasp member pre-securable to the other of the opposing portions of the brim, such that the first and second clasp members remain secured to the brim while wearing the hat and are releasably securable one to the other when the hat is folded.
7. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 6, wherein the first and second clasp members comprise first and second ferromagnetic members releasably securable one to the other by ferromagnetic attraction, first and second snap members releasably securable by snapping together, or first and second hook-and-loop members releasably securable on contact.
8. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 1, further comprising:
- a pouch sized for positioning within the crown of the hat and including at least one compartment for containing the one or more loose articles.
9. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 8, wherein the pouch is structurally separate from the hat and has a diameter of within 90% of a diameter of the crown.
10. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 8, wherein the pouch is securable to the hat so that the pouch remains within the crown while the hat is worn.
11. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 1, further comprising a clip for securing the handle to a handbag or other clothing article and for suspending the hat from the handbag or other clothing article.
12. The hat-handbag conversion kit of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a ring sized to fit over an arm between a wrist and an elbow of the arm.
13. A hat-handbag conversion kit, comprising:
- a pouch sized for positioning within a crown of a hat and including at least one compartment for containing one or more loose articles;
- a clasp configured for securing opposing portions of a brim of the hat when the hat is folded to bring the opposing portions of the brim together over the crown of the hat, the clasp including first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient magnetic attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together while supporting a combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat;
- a strap including a first strap leg secured to the first ferromagnetic member and a second strap leg secured to the second ferromagnetic member; and
- a handle secured to the clasp via the strap, wherein the clasp and the handle support a combined weight of the hat, the pouch received in the crown of the hat, and the one or more loose articles contained in the pouch.
14. A convertible hat-handbag system, comprising:
- a hat including a crown and a brim extending from the crown, the crown configured for positioning over a user's head when wearing the hat and for containing one or more loose articles when not wearing the hat, wherein the hat is foldable to bring opposing portions of the brim together over the open end of the crown when the hat is not being worn;
- a clasp configured for securing the opposing portions of the brim together with sufficient force to support a combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles; and
- a handle securable to the clasp for supporting the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.
15. The convertible hat-handbag system of claim 14, wherein the clasp comprises first and second ferromagnetic members positionable about the opposing portions of the brim and having sufficient attraction to hold the opposing portions of the brim together and support the combined weight of the hat and the one or more loose articles received in the crown of the hat.
16. The convertible hat-handbag system of claim 15, further comprising:
- a strap securable to the handle, wherein one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members are pre-secured to the strap.
17. The convertible hat-handbag system of claim 15, wherein one or both of the first and second ferromagnetic members are pre-secured to the brim of the hat.
18. The convertible hat-handbag system of claim 14, wherein the clasp comprises a first clasp member secured to one of the opposing portions of the brim and a second clasp member secured to the other of the opposing portions of the brim, wherein the first and second clasp members are releasably securable one to the other when the hat is folded.
19. The convertible hat-handbag system of claim 18, wherein the first and second clasp members comprise first and second ferromagnetic members, first and second snap members, or first and second hook-and-loop members.
20. The convertible hat-handbag system of claim 14, further comprising:
- a pouch sized for positioning within the crown of the hat and including at least one compartment for containing the one or more loose articles and that fits within the crown.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 15, 2021
Publication Date: Oct 20, 2022
Inventor: Sapna Jaggi Basra (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 17/231,260