Combination hat and integral storage pouch

Abstract

This invention provides a combination hat and integral storage pouch comprises a crown having a top portion including first and second layers joined together. The second layer has a closure means, such as a zipper, extending along a longitudinal midline from one end to another end thereof, and defines a space therebetween to store a portion of the hat. The hat also includes a sidewall extending essentially perpendicularly from the first and second layers, and sized to fit a wearer's head, and a brim extending outwardly from the crown and attached thereto.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hats and more particularly to hat and integral storage pouch combinations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Others have set forth hats that may include a pocket into which the hat folds for storage. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,892 B1 (Galigani) relates to a hat made from a supple and foldable material, comprising a reversible pocket made in the hat, into which the hat can be folded and stored when not in use.

Others have also set forth hats that can be converted into other objects and back. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,963 (Lieberman) relates to a reversible doll/hat that can be altered from a doll into a wearable hat and back to a doll.

There exists a need for a hat with an integral storage pouch that has a simple, convenient design, and is inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a combination hat and integral storage pouch that can be altered from a hat into a storage pouch and visa versa. The combination hat and integral storage pouch comprises a crown having a top portion including first and second layers joined together. The second layer has a closure means, such as a zipper, extending along a longitudinal midline from one end to another end thereof, and defines a space there-between to store a portion of the hat. The hat also includes a sidewall extending essentially perpendicularly from the first and second layers, and sized to fit a wearer's head, and a brim extending outwardly from the crown and attached thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention together with its features and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination hat and storage pouch of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the combination hat and integral storage pouch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the combination hat and storage pouch of FIG. 1, shown during the folding of the hat into the storage pouch; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the combination hat and storage pouch of FIG. 1, showing the hat within the storage pouch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the combination hat and integral storage pouch of the present invention, generally designated by reference number 10. The combination hat and integral storage pouch 10 includes several basic parts, shown in FIGS. 1-4. The combination hat and integral storage pouch 10 comprises a crown 11 having a top portion including first 12 and second layers 15 joined together. The second layer 15 has a closure means 16 extending along a longitudinal midline from one end to another end thereof, and defines a space 17 therebetween to store a portion of the hat. The hat also includes a sidewall 13 extending essentially perpendicularly from the first 12 and second layers 15, and sized to fit a wearer's head, and a brim 14 extending outwardly from the crown 11 and attached thereto.

The hat is made from a very supple and relatively thin material so that it is as compact as possible once it has been folded up into the integral storage pouch 18. The material is preferably cotton canvas, but it may also be, for example a variety of other materials, including corduroy, felt or satin, and may be made or woven from any natural or synthetic fiber used for hat manufacturing, including nylon, polyester, rayon, wool, silk, cashmere, leather, suede, or combinations of any of the foregoing.

The hat 10 can be worn when the second layer 15 is inside the hat. When the hat 10 is being worn or stored, the space 17 defined by the two layers 12, 15 can also be used to store small items, such as coins, currency, keys and the like (not shown).

The second layer 15 is generally oval shaped or round to conform to the wearer's head, and may be sized accordingly, using conventional hat sizes.

The hat 10 can be inserted into its integral storage pouch 18 when the first 12 and second layers 15 are turned inside out, and the remainder of the crown 11 and brim 14 are inserted into the space 17 defined by the first 12 and second layers 15.

The space 17 defined by the first 12 and second layers 15 can be closed by any means that allow reversible and repeated closure including a zipper, snaps, buttons or a releasable hook and eye fastening tape, known as Velcro.

Positioning the closure means 16 so that it extends along a midline from one end to another end of the second layer 15 enables simpler, less bulky design, less expensive or complex manufacture, and a less cumbersome article.

Thus as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a zipper 16 is stitched or bound to two pieces of fabric that comprise the second layer 15. The second layer 15 is stitched to the sidewall 13, which is in turn stitched to the brim 14.

The hat and pouch combination of the present invention can be adapted to a large number of men's and ladies' hat designs, such as baseball caps, sailor hats, derbies, fishermen's hats, and the like.

Although some preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination hat and integral storage pouch comprising:

a crown having a top portion including first and second layers joined together, the second layer having a closure means extending along a longitudinal midline from one end to another end thereof, the first and second layers defining a space therebetween to store a portion of the hat, and a sidewall extending essentially perpendicularly from the first and second layers, and sized to fit a wearer's head; and,

a brim extending outwardly from the crown and attached thereto.

2. The combination hat and integral storage pouch of claim 1, wherein the closure means is a zipper.

3. The combination hat and integral storage pouch of claim 1, wherein the closure means are snaps, buttons, or releasable hook and eye fastening tape.

4. The combination hat and integral storage pouch of claim 2, wherein the first and second layers are essentially oval, and the closure means is a zipper.

5. The combination hat and integral storage pouch of claim 2, wherein the second layer is inside the hat when the hat is placed on a wearer's head.

6. The combination hat and integral storage pouch of claim 5, wherein the first and second layers are turned inside out, and the remainder of the crown and brim are inserted into the space defined by the first and second layers.