Deatachable Hat Band

Abstract

A hat band apparatus includes a hat band having an exterior portion configured to be outwardly visible when the hat band is secured to a hat and an interior portion opposite the exterior portion, and means for securing the hat band to the hat such that the band is detachable from the hat.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/141,004, filed on Dec. 29, 2008, incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a detachable hat band apparatus for application to a hat.

Many people complete their sophisticated look by wearing a hat which incorporates a hat band. In order to look stylish and attractive, it may desirable to have the color of the hat band match the suit and/or other garments of the wearer. In order to complement a variety of clothing and/or to be able to present multiple “looks”, one may have to purchase several hats of various colors. This can become prohibitively expensive. Storing these hats without having them incur damage may also be an arduous task. One may also have limited space for storing such items. Also, in some cases, it may be desirable to add a hat band to a hat which lacks such a band, in order to complement the other apparel of a wearer. Thus, having a simple way to transform the appearance of a single hat may save consumers money and space versus purchasing and storing multiple hats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a hat band apparatus is provided including a hat band having an exterior portion configured to be outwardly visible when the hat band is secured to a hat, and an interior portion opposite the exterior portion, and means for securing the hat band to the hat such that the band is detachable from the hat.

In another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a system of interchangeable hat bands is provided. The system includes a first hat band apparatus detachably securable to a hat, and at least one second hat band apparatus configured so as to be interchangeable on the hat with the first hat band apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of an exterior portion of a detachable hat band apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of an interior portion of the detachable hat band apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of a detachable hat band formed as a continuous strip of material in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hat incorporating a detachable hat band in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view of an interior portion of a detachable hat band apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing application of a system of interchangeable hat bands in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention to a hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a detachable hat band apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the hat band described herein are sold under one or both of the trademarks VERSA-BAND™ or VERSA-BAND SYSTEM™. As used herein, the terms “detachable”, “detachably secured”, and “detachably securable” as applied to a hat band apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is understood to mean that the hat band is configured so that it can be quickly and easily secured to and removed from a hat according to the needs or desires of a wearer of the hat. The hat bands may be produced for a wide variety of hat designs, for men's hats, women's hats, and children's hats as desired. Bands in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be configured for any hat that incorporates a hat band or that may have a hat band applied thereto.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hat band apparatus includes a band 12 having an interior portion 14 which faces the crown portion 16a of a hat 16, and an exterior portion 18 which is outwardly visible when the band is secured to the hat. Band 12 also has a length L, a width W, a first free end 20 and a second free end 22 opposite the first free end. Exterior portion 18 may have a pattern or color applied thereto.

Known manufacturing techniques may be sued to form the hat bands. The particular manufacturing methods used to fabricate the hat bands may depend on such factors as the materials from which the bands are to be formed.

A hat band in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may be formed from any suitable material, for example, ribbon, cloth, animal skin (such as leather or crocodile skin), or any other suitable material or materials. The wide variety of materials from which the hat band may be formed enables a wide variety of patterns, colors, designs, and textures to be applied to the hat band, to conform to or complement articles of clothing being worn by the wearer of the hat, and to otherwise accommodate the preferences of the wearer. For example, the band may be formed from an elastic material stretchable to wrap around and adhere to a crown portion of the hat.

Hat bands may be fabricated for application to a wide range of hat dimensions and designs. Particular dimensions of the detachable hat band may depend on the requirements of a particular application. For example, such factors as the means to be used to attach the hat band to the hat, the configuration of the hat design, and the size or size ranges of the hat may affect the actual dimensions of the bands. In a particular embodiment, a hat band in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention has a length in the range of about 22 inches to about 24 inches, and a width of about ⅜ inches.

The hat band is securable to the hat using methods that help ensure that the band will remain secured in a desired position on the hat during normal use of the hat. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, band 12 is secured to the hat using an adhesive. In a particular embodiment, the adhesive is in the form of an adhesive tape, such as a double-sided adhesive tape 26 applied to hat interior portion 14. The tape may be applied the interior portion 14 as a single piece (FIG. 2) or in multiple pieces 28 spaced along the length of the hat band (as seen in FIG. 5).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a single piece of double-sided adhesive tape 26 is applied to the interior portion 14 of the band to adhere the band to a hat. The tape may have a peelable backing strip along one side which is exposed to a user after the tape is applied to the interior portion of the band. For attachment of the hat band to the hat, this backing strip is removed to expose the adhesive and the band is positioned and secured to the hat as desired.

In a particular embodiment, a single piece of double-sided adhesive tape is used having a length within the range of approximately 17 inches to approximately 20 inches, and a width within the range of approximately ¼ inches to approximately 5/16 inches.

The hat band apparatus may be fabricated to include the tape pre-applied to the band for the convenience of a user. Alternatively, one or more strips of tape may be sold separately from the hat band or in conjunction with the hat band. The tape may be applied directly to the band, or the tape may be applied directly to a desired portion of the hat by a user. The band is then positioned over the tape and pressed onto the tape to secure the band to the hat. Other modes of attachment are also contemplated.

In another embodiment, for example, the hat band may be formed from an elastic material which stretches to enable application of the band to the hat, then contracts to aid in retaining the band to the hat. The material may have any of a variety of patterns or colors applied to the visible exterior portion 18 of the band.

The hat band may be formed as a continuous strip of material (similar in structure to a rubber or elastic band) or the hat band may have discrete free ends such as 20 and 22 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 which are secured to each other either prior to application of the hat band to the hat. Alternatively, the ends of the band may be secured to each other or to the hat after the hat band has been positioned on the hat.

Where the band is secured to the hat by securing the free ends of the band to each other, ends of the band may be pulled taught prior to securement of the ends to generate a tension force in the band to aid in securing the band to the hat.

Free ends of the hat band may be secured using any of a variety of methods. In one embodiment, ends of the hat band are secured to each other using one or more staples. In another embodiment, ends of the band are secured to each other with a glue or adhesive. In another embodiment, ends of the band are secured to each other (or to the hat itself) using one or more pieces of adhesive tape. In another embodiment, ends of the band are secured to each other (or to the hat itself) using a decorative article, such as a clip, ribbon, bow or other such device. In another embodiment, ends of the band are secured to each other by stitching. In another embodiment, one or more strips of a material which, in relation to the material of the hat and when applied to the hat, produces a relatively high friction coefficient between the materials. This facilitates securement of the hat band to the hat by friction, rather than using adhesives. Alternatively, the hat band may be formed from a material as just described.

Two or more detachable hat bands in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be combined to form a system of interchangeable hat bands.

As used herein, the term “interchangeable” as applied to a hat band in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is understood to mean that the hat band is configured to be detachable from a hat and replaceable on the hat with another of the hat bands. The system includes first hat band 30 detachably securable to a hat 116 and at least one second hat band 32 configured so as to be interchangeable on the hat 116 with the first hat band. The system may include any desired number of detachable hat bands. Hat band 32 may easily and conveniently be removed and replaced with band 30 according to the needs of the wearer.

Using a hat band apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the appearance of a hat can easily be changed so as to complement a variety of suits or other clothing. Thus, a wearer can adapt the appearance of a single hat to required needs, rather than purchasing and maintaining multiple hats with different band colors or patterns.

It will be understood that the foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only. As such, the various structural and operational features herein disclosed are susceptible to a number of modifications commensurate with the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art, none of which departs from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hat band apparatus comprising:

a hat band including an exterior portion configured to be outwardly visible when the hat band is secured to a hat, and an interior portion opposite the exterior portion; and

means for securing the hat band to the hat such that the band is detachable from the hat.

2. The hat band apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hat band is formed as a continuous strip of material.

3. The hat band apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hat band has a first free end and a second free end opposite the first free end.

4. The hat band apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the hat band to the hat comprises at least one piece of double-sided adhesive tape.

5. The hat band apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hat band has a length in the range of about 22 inches to about 24 inches.

6. The hat band apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hat band has a width of about ⅜ inches.

7. A system of interchangeable hat bands, comprising:

a first hat band apparatus detachably securable to a hat; and

at least one second hat band apparatus configured so as to be interchangeable on the hat with the first hat band apparatus.