Scrub hat with ties

Abstract

The present invention relates to a scrub hat. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable scrub hat that is configured to comfortably attach to a user's head. The scrub hat includes a static band that extends across a user's forehead and an elastic casing that extends behind the static band to secure the scrub hat. In addition, a gathered cover is coupled across the entire region defined by the static band and the casing. Two tie straps extend from the point of connection between the static band and the casing. The tie straps can be tied together over the cover to pull the cover off of a user's ears and provide additional support.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/515,473, filed Oct. 29, 2003, entitled “SCRUB HAT WITH TIES.”

2. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a scrub hat. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable scrub hat that is configured to comfortably attach to a user's head.

3. Background

Medical professionals wear various articles of clothing to minimize contact with patients. These articles of clothing include scrubs, masks, gloves, boots, and hats. All of these items prevent the transfer of germs between the medical professional and the patient or vice versa. In certain circumstances, these articles of clothing must be worn for long periods of time. For example, certain surgeries take over eight hours to complete and the medical professionals must wear these items the entire time in order to prevent the transference of germ into the exposed portion of the patient. Likewise, some of the items are worn during an entire medical shift. In particular, the hat or “scrub hat” is worn by medical professionals to cover the forehead and hair. Traditionally these hats include an uncomfortable elastic band that causes chaffing and irritability.

Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a scrub hat that comfortably accommodates a wide variety of individuals with varying lengths of hair.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a scrub hat. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable scrub hat that is configured to comfortably attach to a user's head. The scrub hat includes a static band that extends across a user's forehead and an elastic casing that extends behind the static band to secure the scrub hat. In addition, a gathered cover is coupled across the entire region defined by the static band and the casing. Two tie straps extend from the point of connection between the static band and the casing. The tie straps can be tied together over the cover to pull the cover off of a user's ears and provide additional support.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a woman wearing a scrub hat in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a profile view of a woman wearing the scrub hat of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the scrub hat of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a scrub hat. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable scrub hat that is configured to comfortably attach to a user's head. The scrub hat includes a static band that extends across a user's forehead and an elastic casing that extends behind the static band to secure the scrub hat. In addition, a gathered cover is coupled across the entire region defined by the static band and the casing. Two tie straps extend from the point of connection between the static band and the casing. The tie straps can be tied together over the cover to pull the cover off of a user's ears and provide additional support. While embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a scrub hat, the teachings of the present invention are also applicable to other areas.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-3, which illustrate a woman wearing a scrub hat in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The scrub hat is designated generally at 100. The illustrated embodiment of a scrub hat includes a cover 105, a static band 110, an elastic casing 115, and two tie straps 120. All of the components are composed of materials that can be washed numerous times in order to maintain sanitary qualities. The illustrated hat is designed for use by medical professionals including nurses, doctors, etc.

The cover 105 is a substantially circular shaped piece of material with gathered edges as illustrated. A preferable size of the cover on a universal scrub hat is 22″ in diameter. The cover 105 is preferably composed of a breathable material to allow air transfer between a user's head and the surrounding air. The cover 105 is coupled to both the static band 110 and the elastic casing 115. Due to the length of the static band 110 and the elastic casing 115, the cover 105 will create an enclosure that provides ample room for an individual with short or long hair. The region defined by the cover 105 and the elastic casing 115 may be considered a hair retention region.

The static band 110 is a non-elastic band that is configured to extend across a user's forehead as illustrated. The static band 110 is preferably 16″ and 4″ wide on a universal scrub hat. The static band 110 is composed of a piece of material folded lengthwise and coupled to the cover on the exposed lengthwise ends. The folded lengthwise side is positioned downward to provide maximum comfort for a user. The coupling between the static band 110 and the cover 105 is in a gathered configuration as shown. The static band 110 is designed to extend over the ears of a user as shown.

The elastic casing 115 is dynamic piece of material coupled to either end of the static band 110 as shown. The elastic casing 115 provides an adjustable support system for the hat without directly exposing the user to uncomfortable elastic. The elastic casing 115 is also coupled to the cover 105 in a gathered configuration as shown. The elastic casing 115 further includes a piece of material stitched and folded in sections and a piece of elastic guided through the piece of material. The piece of elastic is also stitched at either end of the piece of material. The piece of elastic is preferably 8″ long and ¼″ wide on a universal scrub hat.

The two tie straps 120 are coupled to the point of union between the static band 110 and the elastic casing 115, as shown. Alternatively, the two tie straps 120 may be coupled to either the static band 110 or the elastic casing 115 individually. Likewise, additional tie straps may be incorporated and remain consistent with the present invention. The tie straps 120 are configured to be coupled together over the cover 105 in order to raise the cover 105 over the ears of a user and provide additional support. The tie straps on a universal scrub hat are preferably 16″ long.

Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present invention relates to a scrub hat. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an adjustable scrub hat that is configured to comfortably attach to a user's head. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A medical hat comprising:

a static band configured to extend across a user's forehead;

an elastic casing coupled to the static band to provide support;

a cover extending over an entire region defined by the static band and the elastic casing; and

a plurality of tie straps coupled to at least one of the static band and the elastic casing, wherein the plurality of ties straps can be coupled together to pull the cover off of a user's ears and further support the medical hat.

2. The medical hat of claim 1, wherein the static band is a strip of fabric folded lengthwise, and wherein the folded lengthwise side of the static band is oriented at the bottom.

3. The medical hat of claim 1, wherein the static band is a 4″ by 16″ strip of fabric folded lengthwise, and wherein the folded lengthwise side of the static band is oriented at the bottom

4. The medical hat of claim 1, wherein the static band comprises a woven material.

5. The medical hat of claim 1, wherein the cover is coupled to the static band and the elastic casing in a gathered configuration.

6. The medical hat of claim 1, wherein the coupling between the cover and the elastic casing provides a hair retention region.

7. The medical hat of claim 1, wherein the elastic casing further includes:

strip of material folded and stitched in ¼″ sections; and

strip of elastic extended through the strip of material and stitched on either end.

8. The medical hat of claim 7, wherein the strip of elastic is 8″ long and ¼″ wide.

9. The medical hat of claim 1, herein the cover is a substantially circular shaped piece of material with a 22″ diameter.

10. The medical hat of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tie straps are coupled to the coupling between the static band and the elastic casing.

11. The medical hat of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tie straps are 16″ long.