Self-wicking headband and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a self-wicking and draining headband and to methods for making and using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-wicking headband including free tails for wicking and draining the moisture from the headband.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/635,529, filed on Dec. 11, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a self-wicking and draining headband and to methods for making and using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-wicking headband including free tails for wicking and draining the moisture from the tied portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although a number of self-wicking headbands exist, these headbands use secondary methods to draw away the accumulated sweat. These methods include drain tubes, perforated drain tubes, and moisture absorbent materials sewn into the headband. The use of secondary materials to this end results in a number of disadvantages. Among these disadvantages are increased cost and complexity of the final product, increased difficulty in laundering the final product, and in most cases, increased weight of the final product and decreased comfort to the user.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved headband that wicks moisture away from the forehead and drains the accumulated moisture away from the forehead without using secondary material or minimizing the use of secondary material. Such a device would minimize and/or eliminate many, if not all, of the disadvantages discussed above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a self-wicking headband comprising a main body; coupling means; and, at least one free tail. In some embodiments, the at least one free tail comprises two free tails. In some embodiments, the at least one free tail comprises more than two free tails. In some embodiments, the self-wicking headband comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the coupling means is a tie band. In some embodiments, the coupling means comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a button, a hook, a zipper, velcro, and any combination thereof.

The present invention is also directed to a self-wicking headband comprising a main body and at least one free tail, wherein the main body comprises elastic material and wherein the main body is a unitary circular piece. In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one free tail comprises elastic material.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is a method of making a self-wicking headband comprising the step of forming a piece of cloth having a central strand and first and second end components, the first and second end components each comprising at least two end strands, the at least two end strands joined with each other and with the central strand. In some embodiments, at least one end strand further comprises coupling means selected from the group consisting of a hook, a button, a zipper, velcro, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of coupling one of the at least two end strands of the first end component with one of the at least two end strands of the second end component, with the coupling means. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of tying one of the at least two end strands of the first end component with one of the at least two end strands of the second end component.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is a method of using a self-wicking headband comprising the steps of procuring a self-wicking headband comprising a main body; coupling means; and, at least one free tail; and, coupling the coupling means In some embodiments, the step of coupling comprises tying. In some embodiments, the step of coupling comprises coupling with coupling means selected from the group consisting of a hook, a button, a zipper, velcro, and any combination thereof.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the tied and untied headband in A and B, respectively, of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates the tied and untied headband in A and B, respectively, while C and D illustrate the components of a deconstructed headband, of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, “a” or “an” means one or more, unless otherwise indicated. The singular encompasses the plural and the plural encompasses the singular. This is particularly true in the case of specific classes of components of the headband. Where reference is made to a component, it should be understood to mean one or more components of that class.

The inventor has found that a self-wicking headband with a coupled, preferably tied, portion and free tails for wicking and draining the moisture from the headband provides a significant improvement over prior art headbands and provides significant practical advantages over prior art headbands. Alternatively, in lieu of the coupled portion, the headband is a unitary, circular piece with at least one free tail for wicking and draining the moisture. In the embodiment having a unitary, circular piece, the headband comprises elastic material to secure it to the user's head.

The present invention relates self-wicking headband that includes coupling means, preferably a tie band, for retaining the headband on the wearer's head, and free tails that promote the wicking of the moisture from the wearer's head. The headband is made from a single piece of material that is folded in half and sewn about the middle, leaving at least two free tails on each end. Preferably, one tail is used to tie the headband, while another free tail promotes the drying of the restrained or tied portion of the headband. In this way, one or more of the free tails acts as a coupling means (by acting as a tie band). Alternatively, one tail is used to couple the headband together by some other coupling means, such as, but not limited to, a hook, a button, a zipper, velcro or a velcro-type material, etc., and another free tail promotes the drying of the headband. Alternatively, in lieu of the coupling means, the headband is a unitary, circular piece with at least one free tail for wicking and draining the moisture. In the embodiment having a unitary, circular piece, the headband comprises elastic material to secure it to the user's head. In embodiments having coupling means other than one or more tie bands, the headband may or may not comprise elastic material.

Suitable materials for the making of the headband include, without limitation, cotton, polyester, nylon, or other cloths and/or mixtures and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of commercial materials include Lycra™ and Coolmax™. Other materials, known to those of ordinary skill in the art are also applicable to the present invention. Although reference is now made to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not so limited, but rather encompasses the full scope of the entire disclosure.

ILLUSTRATIVE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 1A and 2A illustrate the headband as tied for use, while FIGS. 1B and 2B illustrate the untied headband. FIGS. 2C and 2D further illustrates the (deconstructed) individual components of untied headband 2B. The tied headband 100, is shown to include a main body 101, a tie band 200, and free tails 201. The headband 101 is cut from a single piece of cloth 103 and folded in half and sewn along the borders 105. When the headband is worn, the main body 101 is tied at 202 using a single set of tails and creating the tie band 200, and leaving a set of free tails 201.

FIG. 2 further illustrates the preferred construction of the preferred embodiment of the device of this invention. Headband 100 is shown to include a main body 101, a tie band 200, and free tails 201. The main body 101 is cut from two pieces of cloth 103, 104 (shown as FIGS. 2C and 2D, respectively) and sewn along the borders 105. When the headband 100 is worn, the main body 101 is tied at 202 using a single set of tails and creating the tie band 200, and leaving a set of free tails 201.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1B and 2B, the preferred embodiment of the untied headband of the present invention comprises a central component and two end components, the end components comprising two end strands. The two end strands are joined to one another and to the central strand. The construction can be unitary or can comprise more than one discrete component.

While the preferred embodiment has two tails, it is possible to have one tail or more than two tails to wick away moisture. One tail may be sufficient if the material has adequate wicking properties to permit only one tail, or if the chosen geometry of the tail is such that a single tail can wick away a sufficient portion of the moisture generated. In some cases, more than two tails may be used. Also alternatively, the headband may be secured by means other than being tied with a tie band as other varieties of a coupling band are useful. Non-limiting examples of such alternatives include the use of a hook or button mechanism. However, these increase the complexity of the headband by possibly introducing some secondary material to the construction of the headband.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference. While this invention has been described according to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to its preferred embodiments, from reading this description those of skill in the art may appreciate changes and modifications that may be made which do not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter.

Claims

1. A self-wicking headband comprising:

a main body;

coupling means; and,

at least one free tail.

2. The self-wicking headband of claim 1, wherein said at least one free tail comprises two free tails.

3. The self-wicking headband of claim 1, wherein said at least one free tail comprises more than two free tails.

4. The self-wicking headband of claim 1, wherein said self-wicking headband comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, nylon, and any combination thereof.

5. The self-wicking headband of claim 1, wherein said coupling means is a tie band.

6. The self-wicking headband of claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a button, a hook, a zipper, velcro, and any combination thereof.

7. A self-wicking headband comprising:

a main body and at least one free tail, wherein said main body comprises elastic material, wherein said main body is a unitary circular piece.

8. The self-wicking headband of claim 7, wherein one or more of said at least one free tail comprises elastic material.

9. A method of making a self-wicking headband comprising the step of:

forming a piece of cloth having a central strand and first and second end components, said first and second end components each comprising at least two end strands, said at least two end strands joined with each other and with said central strand.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one end strand further comprises coupling means selected from the group consisting of a hook, a button, a zipper, velcro, and any combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of coupling one of said at least two end strands of said first end component with one of said at least two end strands of said second end component with said coupling means.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of tying one of said at least two end strands of said first end component with one of said at least two end strands of said second end component.

13. A method of using a self-wicking headband comprising the steps of:

procuring a self-wicking headband comprising a main body; coupling means; and, at least one free tail; and,

coupling said coupling means.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of coupling comprises tying.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of coupling comprises coupling with coupling means selected from the group consisting of a hook, a button, a zipper, velcro, and any combination thereof.