Securing ornamental headgear

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for securing ornamental headgear to its wearer in a self-locking manner that eliminates the need for additional locking devices. The ornamental headpiece, includes one or more ornamental objects, such as horns, wherein the ornamental object has a base in communications with a mounting surface. An attachment cord enters an internal pathway within the ornamental object through an opening on the base and exits through a second opening. Surface contact between the attachment cord and the internal pathway inhibit relative motion between the ornamental object and attachment cord thus allowing the wearer to easily position the ornamental object without fear of unwanted repositioning of the ornamental object. Additionally, the attachment cord can be fastened about the user to secure the ornamental headpiece.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to securing headgear to its wearer, and more particularly, a system and method for securing ornamental headgear to its wearer in a self-locking manner so as to eliminate the need for additional locking devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] People often desire to wear ornamental headdress and part of the aura of wearing an ornamental headdress is to seamlessly incorporate ornamental headdress into its wearer. For example, if someone were to wear horns as ornamental headdress associated with a costume, the present methods of attaching such ornamental headdress often leave much to be desired. Problems associated with attaching ornamental headdress using qualified methods include the process of temporarily gluing on the ornamental headdress to the skin. However, a good bond cannot be achieved where someone has a full or partial head of hair, as this method requires a clean scalp in order to have a good bond between the ornamental headdress and the wearer. Bonds provided by glues or adhesives often require messy and complicated removal procedures. Furthermore, an individual wearer cannot quickly put on and take off the ornamental headdresses when they are attached with adhesives. Moreover, the commercially available adhesives are weak and do not provide a secure mounting.

[0003] Another method attaches the ornamental headdress to a hat, headband or some similar object. This detracts from the illusion that the ornamental headdress is an actual part of the wearer. It is very easy to realize that such headdress is, in fact, a part of the hat, headband and that the user is wearing the combination.

[0004] Yet another solution has been for wearers to drill holes through the sides of the ornamental headdress and attach a string to hold the ornamental headdress in place around the wearer's head. This leaves much to be desired. First, the string is visible, as it passes through the side of the ornamental headdress. Additionally, holes in the side of the ornamental headdress detract from the headdress'appearance. Yet another problem is that the string or cord associated with the ornamental headdress is visible and there is no means readily available to keep the ornamental headdress in place. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a system or a method of making and affixing ornamental headdresses to a user that creates the illusion that these are a seamless part of their user.

[0005] Problems associated with attaching ornamental headdress to a headband or hat are that these detract from the illusion that the wearer is attempting to create. Quite simply, these do not look real.

[0006] None of these methods allow the wearer to easily position the ornamental headdress should they desire. With these methods, a wearer must remove the ornamental headdress, and remove fastening means that hold the ornamental headdress and reposition both the fastening means and the ornamental headdress in an interactive process to achieve a wearer's desired results. This is extremely time consuming and cumbersome if one only needs a fine adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a sustained method of affixing ornamental headdress, which substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed methods of affixing ornamental headdress.

[0008] More specifically, the present invention provides both a system and method for affixing ornamental headdress to a user in a self-locking manner without the need for any additional locking devices. The present invention comprises an ornamental headdress that is attached to the user through the use of an attachment cord. This attachment cord enters the base of the ornamental headdress at an angle to create friction, which must be overcome in order for the ornamental headdress to be moved relative to the wearer.

[0009] The present invention overcomes the problems of providing a mechanism for attaching ornamental headdresses without adhesives, which is both secure and easily adjustable, even while being worn. Furthermore, the present invention far improves the appearances of the headdress and creates the illusion of a seamless attachment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like features:

[0011] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a prior art method of affixing ornamental headgear to a wearer;

[0012] FIGS. 2A AND 2B illustrate one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the ornamental headgear of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a view of the base of ornamental headgear;

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a cross section of ornamental headgear that shows the interior pathway for the corded attachment within the ornamental headgear;

[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a mold for use in forming ornamental headgear;

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates one method of manufacturing a piece of ornamental headgear according to the present invention; and

[0018] FIGS. 8A through 8F depict a method of fabricating the ornamental headgear of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the FIGURES, like numerals being used to refer to like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

[0020] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one embodiment of the present invention wherein an ornamental object is shown as headgear being worn by a user. The object shown is a horn but this is for illustration only and, in practice, any ornamental piece as, for example, an antler, a spike, wing or any other adornment may be substituted therefor. The ornamental headgear is attached to user 12 with corded attachment 14. FIG. 2B shows a rear view of the ornamental headgear 10 worn by user 12.

[0021] FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment, wherein ornamental headgear 10 is designed for fastening to a user 12 via attachment cord 14. As shown in FIG. 3 the corded attachment 14 enters ornamental headgear 10 through an opening 16 at the base of the ornamental headgear. The base provides an interface for bringing the headgear into contact with a mounting surface. When used by a person this mounting surface is the user's scalp; however, it is to be understood that the ‘user’ may also be inanimate object as, for example, the head of a sculpture, bust or mannequin.

[0022] Attachment cord 14 follows a curved path or interior pathway 18 within ornamental headgear 10 and exits the ornamental headgear 10 through opening 20 located opposite of hole 16 on the base of ornamental headgear 10. Attachment cord 14 may be hidden by the hair of a user. However, there are instances where attachment cord 14 becomes visible despite hair covering the attachment cord. This occurs when attachment cord is made from a dark material while the hair of user 12 is lighter in color. Two solutions exist. First, the color of attachment 14 may be made to match the coloring of the hair or scalp of user 12, in the case where the scalp of user 12 is devoid of hair. Alternatively, a clear or invisible material may be used to construct the attachment cord 14. This second solution provides an advantage in that the use of an invisible or clear material for attachment cord 14 eliminates the need to provide attachment cord 14 in a variety of colors to match those of all potential users 12. One such clear or invisible material that can be used for attachment cord 14, is “Sgetti”. Sgetti is a monofilament cord that is both clear and somewhat elastic; it is a trademark of Pepperell Braiding Company. One benefit of using a corded material 14 that has some elastic properties is that the elastic properties tend to help maintain ornamental object 10 in place by holding the ornamental headgear to user 12.

[0023] Attachment cord 14 enters ornamental headgear 10 through holes 16 and 20 at an angle 22. Angle 22 prevents ornamental object 10 from moving with respect to both attachment cord 14 and the scalp of user 12 by the force of friction on attachment cord 14. The bend in attachment cord 14 further inhibits relative motion. This has the effect of locking ornamental headgear 10 in place. Additionally, user 12 can manipulate the position of the ornamental headgear by simply feeding attachment cord 14 into and out of ornamental object 10 to reposition ornamental headgear 10 with respect to the cord and the user's scalp. The present invention also allows for user 12 to adjust the location of the ornamental objects by simply lifting the ornamental headgear 10 away from the scalp. This lifting reduces the angle between the entryway holes in attachment cord 14 and, as a result, decreases the friction between the cord 14 and the headgear 10. When placed in this mode, the ornamental objects are manipulable along the cord and can be repositioned. Upon releasing the ornamental object the friction is restored and the headgear is once again in a secure mode.

[0024] FIGS. 3 and 4 also depict an additional attachment feature of ornamental headgear 10.

[0025] This method of securing the ornamental headgear 10 allows the user to remove and mount the headgear to another fixture such as a helmet or hat by using a hook and loop type fastener 4. The fastener 4 is within a shallow indentation or recess 26 and the recess 26 must have a depth sufficient to accommodate both halves of the loop and hook fastening means in order to provide a flush mount. Attaching the ornamental headgear 10 with a hook and loop method avoids the need to apply adhesive to ornamental headpiece 10 in order to affix the ornamental headgear to a mounting surface.

[0026] FIG. 4 depicts a bottom only view of the base of ornamental headgear. Here shallow recess 26 is clearly seen with a portion of a hook and loop type fastener. Additionally, attachment cord 14 is shown with an interior pathway 18 in ornamental headgear 10. Attachment cord 14 enters the base of ornamental headgear 10 through holes 16 and 20.

[0027] FIG. 5 depicts a cross section of ornamental headgear 10. This cross section clearly illustrates the interior pathway 18 for attachment cord 14 to follow within ornamental headgear 10. Additionally, FIG. 5 clearly shows that the angle 22 that corded attachment 14 enters ornamental headgear 10 is relatively large, approximately ninety degrees. This angle creates friction point at holes 16 and 20, which inhibits movement of ornamental headgear 10 relative to attachment cord 14. FIG. 5 also depicts the shallow recess 26 in which one half of a hook and loop attachment method 24 is placed.

[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a method of manufacturing a piece of ornamental headgear 10 according to the method of the present invention. In this method, an ornamental headgear 10 is formed in mold 30. This molding technique allows ornamental headgear 10 to be formed from a very flexible and durable material such a silicon RTV. A curved interior pathway 18 is formed within the headgear 10 by inserting into the base a thin longitudinally extending flexible member whose diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the attachment cord 14 which it is meant to accommodate. In this invention the described embodiments commonly refer to the longitudinally extending member as a “tube” or as “tubing”; however, this is for illustration only and it is to be understood that any other functionally equivalent device as, for example, a filament, a pipe, straw, cord or elastic string may be substituted for the tube or tubing and all are included within this invention. In one such embodiment, a molding material known as “Instacast” (Trademark) is used to form an ornamental headgear piece 10 and a 2 mm cord 32 is inserted into the Instacast™. Alternatively, a 2 mm tube may be substituted for the 2mm cord and both the tube and cord allow for a 1 mm attachment cord 14 made of “Sgetti” to be easily threaded within the molded ornamental headgear.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a tube holder 34 on top of mold 30. Tube holder 34 allows 32 to be correctly positioned within molded ornamental headgear 10 wherein holes 16 and 20, and curved pathway 18 provide the necessary angle for creating a restricted or tortuous pathway within ornamental headgear 10. Additionally, tube holder 34 can be made with a plug that molds recess 26 for a hook and loop attachment system within the ornamental headgear 10.

[0030] An alternative method for forming the curved pathway 18 is described in FIGS. 8A through 8F. Wire mounted within mold 30 holds spring fasteners or similar fastening devices above mold 30. In this embodiment the spring fasteners provide means for holding a piece of tubing 32 perpendicular 5 to the surface of the base of ornamental headgear 10. This creates a perpendicular intersection of the base of the ornamental headgear and internal pathway 18 that restricts movement of the ornamental headgear relative to attachment cord 14. Specific production steps are illustrated in FIGS. 8A through 8F. FIG. 8A depicts an ornamental headgear and the negative space contained within a mold 40 for ornamental headgear 10. The open end of mold 40 forms the base of ornamental headgear 10. This base of the ornamental headgear 10 rests upon the scalp of the wearer 12. Furthermore, casting compound is poured into the open end of mold 40. Spring fasteners hold the cord within the molded ornamental headgear 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8B. In one environment, this cord is an elastic filament with a larger diameter than that of the attachment cord 14. Spring fastener 42 or another similar fastening device is mounted on wire 44 or other similar mounting device, which in turn is mounted in the non-negative space of mold 40.

[0031] FIG. 8C shows a cross section of a mold wherein wires 44 are mounted within the non-negative space of mold 40 and are attached to a spring clip 42 used to position and hold a corded filament within the negative space of mold 40.

[0032] FIG. 8D again illustrates a cross section of a mold wherein spring clips 42 hold a corded filament 46 within the negative space 48 of mold 40. FIG. 8E depicts mold 40 in a casting material that has been poured into negative space of mold 40 and cord 46 is held in place within the casting material by spring clips 42.

[0033] An additional optional step associated with the method of the present invention is to include a notch 48 in the base of the ornamental headgear 10, wherein the notch receives the attachment cord 14. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8F. Notches 48 serves as a channel for attachment cord 14 to follow towards the edge of the base of the ornamental headgear 10. This allows the ornamental headgear 10 to lie flush with the mounting surface or scalp of the wearer 12. These notches 48 may be molded into the base of ornamental headgear 10. Alternatively, these notches 48 may be formed using a grinding tool or a similar device. This step is not necessary for the present invention, but it has the advantage of providing more surface contact between the base of the ornamental headgear 10 and the mounting surface.

[0034] The present invention has several advantages over previously developed systems and methods of affixing ornamental headdress. Specifically, the present invention provides for an ornamental headdress that is self-locking. This is achieved by incorporating a cord within a curved pathway contained inside the ornamental headdress. This arrangement prevents the ornamental headdress form moving relative to the cord and ensures stability.

[0035] Another advantage is that the attachment cord is connected through the base of the ornamental headdress where it is not visible to the eye. This ‘invisibility’ is enhanced by the use of an attachment cord which is fabricated from a clear or invisible material or a material of the same color as the user's hair or scalp. Another advantage of the present invention is the fact that the base of the ornamental headdress lies flush with the scalp of the wearer and the mounting surface, thus providing a better fit of the ornamental headdress and the illusion that the ornamental headdress is a part of the wearer.

[0036] Yet another advantage is that the present invention provides a multitude of methods in which the ornamental headdress may be mounted onto a support surface. These methods include an attachment cord, as discussed in earlier embodiments of this invention, or the use of the attachment cord in combination with a hook and loop fastening system. Yet another method of attaching the ornamental headdress is the use of medical adhesives or spirit glues in order to have a more secure bond between the ornamental headdress and its mounting surface. These additional options also allow the ornamental headdress to be mounted on inanimate objects with or without the corded attachment. These inanimate objects may include helmets, hats, computers, or any object that a user may be inclined to attach to the ornamental headdress.

[0037] Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ornamental headpiece comprising:

at least one ornamental object, wherein said ornamental object has a base in communication with a mounting surface;

an attachment cord wherein said attachment cord enters an internal pathway of said at least one ornamental object through a first opening on said base and exits said at least one ornamental object through a second opening of said ornamental object on said base, wherein contact between said attachment cord and said internal pathway inhibit relative motion between said at least one ornamental object and said attachment cord; and

a means of fastening said attachment cord about a user.

2. The ornamental headpiece of claim 1, wherein said ornamental object is a horn.

3. The ornamental headpiece of claim 2, wherein said horn is comprised of plastic material.

4. The ornamental headpiece of claim 2, wherein said horn is comprised of natural or synthetic clay.

5. The ornamental headpiece of claim 2, wherein said horn is comprised of a synthetic resin.

6. The ornamental headpiece of claim 1, wherein said attachment cord comprises clear or invisible material.

7. The ornamental headpiece of claim 6, wherein said attachment cord comprises an elastic material to increase surface contact between said attachment cord and said internal pathway.

8. The ornamental headpiece of claim 1, wherein said attachment cord comprises a material color matched to said mounting surface.

9. The ornamental headpiece of claim 1, further comprising at least one channel from said first and second opening to said outer perimeter of said base, wherein said attachment cord is located within said at least one channel.

10. The ornamental headpiece of claim 1, further comprising a recess in said base to house a fastener system and wherein said base is flush with said mounting surface.

11. The ornamental headpiece of claim 10, wherein said fastener system is a hook and loop type fastener system.

12. The ornamental headpiece of claim 1, wherein said internal pathway is molded in said at least one ornamental object.

13. The ornamental headpiece of claim 12, wherein said ornamental pathway is molded with a flexible cylindrical object having a larger diameter than said attachment cord.

14. The ornamental headpiece of claim 1, wherein said flexible cylindrical object is held in place by a fastener system mounted in a negative mold while said at least one ornamental object solidifies in a negative space of said negative mold.

15. The ornamental headpiece of claim 14, wherein said fastener system is comprised of a spring clip mounted on a post affixed to said negative mold.

16. A method of forming an ornamental object for use in an ornamental headpiece which comprises the steps of:

securely positioning a thin flexible longitudinal member within a negative space of a mold for said ornamental object;

pouring molding material into said mold;

solidifying said molding material; and

removing said solidified molding material from said mold.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing said flexible member from said solidified molding material.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said flexible member comprises a plastic material.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said flexible member comprises a synthetic material.

20. An ornamental headpiece, comprising:

at least one ornamental object, wherein said ornamental object has a base in communication with a mounting surface, wherein said base further comprises a recess to house a fastener system and wherein said base is flush with said mounting surface;

an attachment cord wherein said attachment cord enters an internal pathway of said at least one ornamental object through a first opening on said base and exits said at least one ornamental object through a second opening of said ornamental object on said base, wherein contact between said attachment cord and said internal pathway inhibit relative motion between said at least one ornamental object and said attachment cord, wherein said base further comprises at least one channel from said first and second opening to said outer perimeter of said base, wherein said attachment cord is located within said at least one channel; and

a means of fastening said attachment cord about a user.

21. The ornamental headpiece of claim 20, wherein said object is a horn.

22. The ornamental headpiece of claim 21, wherein said horn is comprised of a plastic material.

23. The ornamental headpiece of claim 21, wherein said horn is comprised of natural or synthetic clay.

24. The ornamental headpiece of claim 21, wherein said horn is comprised of a synthetic resin.

25. The ornamental headpiece of claim 20, wherein said attachment cord is comprised of a clear or invisible material.

26. The ornamental headpiece of claim 25, wherein said attachment cord is comprised of an elastic material to increase surface contact between said attachment cord and said internal pathway.

27. The ornamental headpiece of claim 20, wherein said attachment cord comprises a material color matched to said mounting surface.

28. The ornamental headpiece of claim 27, wherein said fastener system is a hook and loop type fastener system.

29. The ornamental headpiece of claim 20, wherein said internal pathway is molded in said at least one ornamental object.

30. The ornamental headpiece of claim 29, wherein said ornament pathway is molded with a flexible cylindrical object having a larger diameter than said attachment cord.

31. The ornamental headpiece of claim 20, wherein said flexible cylindrical object is held in place by a fastener system mounted in a negative mold while said at least one ornamental object solidifies in a negative space of said negative mold.

32. The ornamental headpiece of claim 31, wherein said fastener system comprises a spring clip mounted on a post affixed to said negative mold.