HEADWEAR WITH SECURELY ADJUSTABLE BRIM

An improved article of headwear having a method for securing the brim (16) out of the way of the wearer's view during the participation in various sports, including water sports and/or sports involving high wind. Said headwear having a crown (14) having a first attachment means (18), and said brim of flexible material having a second attachment means (20). Said flexible brim can be flexed upward, folding where said brim attaches to the bottom edge of said crown and continuing to flex said brim upwardly and backwardly until said brim having said second attachment means comes in contact with said crown and first attachment means providing a secure detachable mating between said bill and said crown, thus unobstructing the visibility of the wearer of said headwear. Other embodiments are described and shown.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 61/346,446, filed May 19, 2010 by the present inventor, which is incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This relates generally to headwear, and more specifically to hats and caps where the brim section of the headwear is selectively movable between a first position in which the brim section provides sun protection to the face and eyes, and a second position securely away from the eyes of a wearer.

2. Prior Art

With the continued and increasing public concern regarding sun damage, those individuals participating in outdoor activities, especially those activities involving contact with water and/or heavy winds, such as surfing, kayaking, and boating, have difficulty protecting their faces and eyes from the harmful exposure to the sun's rays, while still being able to securely move the bill or brim out of the way periodically, in order have the full visibility that is necessary to safely participate in such activities.

One approach taken by prior art, to attempt to resolve the visibility issue related to the brim or bill of the headwear, includes designs where either the bill, or the entire hat itself, can be rotated along a horizontal plane, using an internal track mechanism. Representative examples of such an approach are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,373 to Ahn et al. (2007), U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,211 to Mehrens (1996), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,508 to Davis (2001).

Another approach has been to mechanically rotate the bill along a vertical plane either along an axis on the bill itself, such as is represented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,837 to Baker (2000), and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,071 to Vu (1997), or along an axis located midway between the front and back of the crown to allow the bill to be repositioned to reside at the back of the headwear, such as represented in U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,250 to Phillip et al. (2006), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,364 to Robinson (1993).

While all the aforementioned examples have varying degrees of merit regarding allowing the bill to be moved out of the way of the wearer's eyes, none address such use in outdoor sport activities where repositioning of the brim needs to be:

a) fast—the wearer has to be able to move the bill out of the way instantly;

b) simple—moving the brim back and forth between a secure position out of the way and back into the normal resting position, must be simple enough to perform using just one hand;

c) secure—the brim must remain out of the wearer's eyes and not return to its normal resting position until the wearer specifically moves it there, even under significant hydrodynamic and/or aerodynamic conditions, such as when a surfer goes through a wave, or during boating or sailing in harsh conditions.

This combination of requirements makes up the realities faced in the world of many outdoor sporting activities, and as such, none of the referenced prior art adequately support these activities. In addition, all the aforementioned examples employ mechanical complexities in design that add to challenges in the use and manufacture of the headwear articles.

Other prior art examples have been specifically designed for use during water activities, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,231 to Schrack (1988), U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,672 to Schrack (1986), U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,193 to Foresman et al. (1991), U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,777 to Gregg (1976), U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,229 to McLeod et al. (1998), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,995 to Oates (1992). Of these examples, however, only the articles disclosed in the patents to Schrack, to Oates, and to McLeod et al., attempt to provide protection from the sun for the wearer's face while the articles disclosed in the remaining two patents attempt to provide protection from the wind and water for the wearer's ears. While these representative examples are designed specifically with water sports in mind, none of them provide the ability to move the bill out of the way in a secure fashion.

The brim section of the headwear is necessary for providing sun protection to the face and eyes, however the individual has to be able to move the brim section securely out of the way while participating in various outdoor activities, at least temporarily, to gain back the visibility blocked by the brim section in order to avoid injury or to help support successful execution of a maneuver. The term “securely” is specifically called out here because, while some headwear support a flexible front brim section, such as that demonstrated in the patent to Oates and the patent to McLeod et al., that could potentially be flexed in an upward position, the flexed brim section is not securely held in place, and maneuvers, especially those involving contact with water or strong winds, can easily cause the upwardly flexed brim section to return to it's normal position. A more concerning situation can occur when these wind and/or water forces push the flexible brim section down past its normal position and further decrease the individual's visibility, thus creating a more severe and dangerous situation for the individual and for other individuals nearby.

An excellent example of the basic lack of visibility issue can be appreciated using the scenario of a surfer who is lying prone on a surfboard and paddling out through the waves. In this position, the surfer has no forward direction visibility due to the brim section of the headwear unless and until the surfer arches back the head and neck to an extreme position causing strain on the neck and back regions. This strain is further amplified as the surfer paddles through breaking waves, with the forces of the waves putting further strain on the neck. In addition, when paddling through the waves, these waves push against the brim section creating hydrodynamic pressure, and in the case of a design that incorporates the use of a flexible brim, can flex the brim section further downward reducing, or even completely eliminating, the surfer's visibility.

A common alternative design to the flexible brim is to use a more rigid brim section for use in water sport activities. Such a design completely ignores the need for periodically regaining the visibility blocked by the brim section, plus this approach creates further issues related to the hydrodynamic drag when the headwear is submerged in water causing either loss of the headwear, or in the case of the headwear using chinstraps, causes excessive strain to the wearer's head from the force of the water acting against the bill. A more dangerous situation with this combination of a rigid brim and chinstrap design, is when the headwear is pushed backwards off the head due to the hydrodynamic force, with the chinstraps still secured but forced down around the throat, with the headwear acting as a small parachute trailing off the back of the wearer's head and neck region.

Consequently, the need still exists for headwear which offers sun protection for the face and eyes, while also supporting the requirements of these outdoor sports and overcoming the aforementioned problems with prior art, without substituting new problems in the place of the current problems that are eliminated.

SUMMARY

An improved article of headwear provides a means for the wearer to quickly push the front of the brim out of the way to expand the wearer's visibility, and for the brim to remain securely out of the way while encountering forces of water and/or wind during outdoor activities such as surfing, kayaking, or boating. Similarly, the improved headwear supports the ability of the wearer to easily return the secured brim to its normal shade-providing position when desired.

The aforementioned is accomplished, in one embodiment, by securely attaching hook and loop material on the top of the brim section of the headwear and attaching a complimentary section of hook and loop material on the front of the crown, such that pushing up the brim section of the headwear to meet the crown, will cause the brim section to be secured to the crown in a flipped upward position as the two hook and loop layers come in contact. Similarly, grabbing the edge of the brim and pulling firmly in an outwardly and downwardly direction will separate the brim from the crown and return the brim to its normal resting position.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of this new headwear will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the embodiments of this headwear, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

FIGS. 1A to 1D show various aspects of a small brim or cap style of headwear using hook and loop material as the detachable mating means between the brim section and the crown portion.

FIGS. 2A to 2D show various aspects of the headwear adding a chinstrap.

FIGS. 3A to 3D show various aspects of another embodiment of the headwear using a snap and receptacle as the detachable mating means between the brim section and the crown portion.

FIGS. 4A to 4D show various aspects of the headwear adding a size adjustable means using hook and loop straps on the back of the headwear.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show various aspects of a full brim style of headwear using a hook and loop material as the detachable mating means between the brim section and the crown portion.

FIGS. 6A to 6D show various aspects of the full brim headwear adding a chinstrap.

FIGS. 7A to 7C show various aspects of another embodiment of full brim headwear using a snap and receptacle as the detachable mating means between the brim section and the crown portion.

 DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

Table of parts referenced in the drawings is as follows: 14 crown portion (cap style headwear) 16 brim section (cap style headwear) 18 hook and/or loop material on the crown portion (cap style headwear) 20 hook and/or loop material on the brim section (cap style headwear) 22 chinstrap 26 crown portion (full brim style headwear) 28 brim section (full brim style headwear) 30 hook and/or loop material on the crown portion (full brim style headwear) 32 hook and/or loop material on the brim section (full brim style headwear) 36 snap 38 receptacle 40 first size adjustment strap 42 second size adjustment strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment—FIGS. 1A to 1D

FIG. 1A is an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the headwear using an industry standard baseball cap style construction with a flexible brim 16. The headwear is constructed using any suitable fabric or textile material as would be used by someone skilled in the art. FIG. 1A displays the front of the crown portion 14 having the first fastening means 18 using hook and/or loop material, and brim section 16 having the second fastening means 20 using hook and/or loop material.

The hook and/or loop material used for the first and second fastening means 18 and 20, is of sizable proportion to maintain the connection between the brim 16 and the crown 14. The embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, uses hook and loop strips approximately 20.0 mm to 30.0 mm wide by 70.0 mm to 100.0 mm in length, and are sewn and/or glued to the brim 16 and crown 14 using appropriate thread and/or adhesive for joining such materials together, as readily known by those skilled in the art.

Although this embodiment is shown using a hook and loop design to removably secure the brim section 16 to the crown portion 14 in a flipped upward position, other configurations and other types of fastening devices and methods could be used in the alternative, such as a snap and receptacle arrangement. Similarly, other arrangements, shapes, and sizes, of hook and loop material could be used, even including constructing the entire top of the brim 16 and/or front of the crown 14 out of hook and loop material.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above and to the side and shows the front of the crown portion 14 comprising the first fastening means 18, and brim section 16 comprising the second fastening means 20. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 16 to be pushed up and out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 1C is an orthogonal view of the headwear from the side and shows the front of the crown portion 14 comprising the first fastening means 18, and the brim section 16 comprising the second fastening means 20. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means 18 and 20 are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 16 to be pushed up and out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 1D is an orthogonal view of the headwear from the side with the brim section 16 shown in a flipped upward position secured to the front of the crown portion 14. In this position, the first fastening means 18 (not visible in this figure) and second fastening means 20 (not visible in this figure) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen.

Operation—First Embodiment—FIGS. 1A to 1D

The manner of using the headwear is such that a person places the article of headwear on their head and then participates in their activities. When the person wants the brim section 16 to be moved away from the eyes for expanded visibility, they merely push the brim section 16 of the headwear in an upwardly then backwardly motion causing the brim section 16 to fold where the brim section 16 is attached to the bottom edge of the crown portion 14, and continue pushing the brim section 16 until the top portion of the brim section 16, having the second fastening means 20, comes in contact with the first fastening means 18 on the front of the crown portion 14, thus securing the brim section 16 in this flipped upward position. When the person wants the brim section 16 of the headwear to be used for shade, the person grabs the outer edge of the brim section 16 and pulls it in an outwardly and downwardly motion to separate the first and second fastening means 18 and 20 until the brim section 16 is back in its normal resting position.

DESCRIPTION Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 2A to 2D

FIG. 2A is an orthogonal view of one embodiment of the headwear adding a typical chinstrap 22 used for keeping the headwear on the wearer. This figure displays the front of the crown portion 14 having the first fastening means 18 using hook and/or loop material, and brim section 16 having the second fastening means 20 using hook and/or loop material. Although this embodiment is shown using a hook and loop design to removably secure the brim section 16 to the crown portion 14 in a flipped upward position, other types of fastening devices and methods could be used in the alternative, such as a snap and receptacle arrangement.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the headwear with the chinstrap 22 and looking from slightly above and to the side, and shows the front of the crown portion 14 of the first fastening means 18, and brim section 16 having the second fastening means 20. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means 18 and 20 are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 16 to be pushed up and out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 2C is an orthogonal view of the headwear with the chinstrap 22 from the side, and shows the front of the crown portion 14 having the first fastening means 18, and the brim section 16 having the second fastening means 20. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means 18 and 20 are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 16 to be pushed up and out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 2D is an orthogonal view of the headwear with the chinstrap 22 from the side, with the brim section 16 shown in a flipped upward position. In this position, the first fastening means 18 (not visible in this figure) and second fastening means 20 (not visible in this figure) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen.

Operation—Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 2A to 2D

The manner of using the headwear is such that a person places the article of headwear on their head and secures the chinstrap 22 under the chin to keep the headwear on the person's head prior to participating in the sport activities. When the person wants the brim section 16 to be moved away from the eyes for expanded visibility, they merely push the brim section 16 of the headwear in an upwardly then backwardly motion causing the brim section 16 to fold where the brim section 16 is attached to the bottom edge of the crown portion 14, and continue pushing the brim section 16 until the top portion of the brim section 16, having the second fastening means 20, comes in contact with the first fastening means 18 on the front of the crown portion 14, thus securing the brim section 16 in this flipped upward position. When the person wants the brim section 16 of the headwear to be used for shade, the person grabs the outer edge of the brim section 16 and pulls it in an outwardly and downwardly motion to separate the first and second fastening means 18 and 20 until the brim section 16 is back in its normal resting position.

DESCRIPTION Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 3A to 3D

FIG. 3A is an orthogonal view of another embodiment of the headwear displaying the front of the crown portion 14 having a first fastening means 38 using a receptacle, and brim section 16 having a second fastening means 38 using a snap. Although this embodiment is shown using a snap and receptacle to removably secure the brim section 16 to the crown portion 14 in a flipped upward position, other types of fastening devices and methods could be used in the alternative, such as a hook and loop arrangement.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above and to the side and shows the front of the crown portion 14 of the first fastening means 38, and brim section 16 having the second fastening means 36. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means 38 and 36 are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 16 to be pushed up and out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 3C is an orthogonal view of the headwear from the side and shows the front of the crown portion 14 of the first fastening means 38, and the brim section 16 having the second fastening means 36. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means 38 and 36 are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 16 to be pushed up and out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 3D is an orthogonal view of the headwear from the side with the brim section 16 flipped upward and secured to the crown portion 14. In this position, the first fastening means 38 (not visible in this figure) and second fastening means 36 (only the underside visible in this figure) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen. The brim section 16 may be placed in the normal resting position to shield the wearer's face from the sun, by simply applying enough force to overcome the physical mating of the first and second fastening means 38 and 36 to each other.

Operation—Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 3A to 3D

With this embodiment of the headwear, when the wearer wants the brim section 16 to be moved away from the eyes for expanded visibility, they would merely push the brim section 16 of the headwear in an upwardly then backwardly motion causing the brim section 16 to fold where the brim section 16 is attached to the bottom edge of the crown portion 14, and continue pushing until the top portion of the brim section 16 having the second fastening means 36, comes in contact with the first fastening means 38, and then continue pushing until second fastening means 36 engages into the first fastening means 38, thus securing the brim section 16 in this flipped upward position. When the wearer wants the brim section 16 of the headwear to be used for shade, the wearer grabs the outer edge of the brim section 16 and pulls it in an outwardly and downwardly motion to separate the first and second fastening means 38 and 36 until the brim section 16 is back in its normal resting position.

DESCRIPTION Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 4A to 4D

FIGS. 4A and 4B are orthogonal views of an embodiment of the headwear adding a size adjustment means. These figures display the back of the crown portion 14 and a first size adjustment means 40 using hook and/or loop material mated with a second size adjustment means 42 using complimentary hook and/or loop material. FIG. 4B shows the first size adjustment means 40 peeled back to expose its loop material, as well as exposing the underlying second size adjustment means 42. Although this embodiment is shown using hook and loop material for the first and second size adjustment means 40 and 42, other types of adjustment devices and methods could be used in the alternative, such as a snap and receptacle arrangement.

FIG. 4C is an orthogonal view of the headwear from the side and shows the first size adjustment means 40 on the back of the crown portion 14. This figure also shows the front of the crown portion 14 of the first fastening means 18 and the brim section 16 having the second fastening means 20. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means 18 and 20 are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 16 to be pushed up and out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 4D is an orthogonal view of the headwear from the side with the brim section 16 in a flipped upward position secured to the crown portion 14. In this position, the first fastening means 18 (not visible in this figure) and second fastening means 20 (not visible in this figure) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen. The brim section 16 may be placed in the normal resting position to shield the wearer's face from the sun, by simply applying enough force to overcome the physical mating of the first and second fastening means 18 and 20 to each other. The first size adjustment means 40 on the back of the crown portion 14 is also visible in this figure.

Operation—Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 4A to 4D

This embodiment of the headwear adds the first and second size adjustment means 40, 42, using hook and loop material. To fit the headwear to a person's head, the person peels apart and separates the first and second adjustment means 40 and 42, and then overlaps the first adjustment means 40 on the second size adjustment means 42 until the crown portion fits snugly around the horizontal circumference of the person's head. Firmly pressing together the first and second size adjustment means 40 and 42 will then removably mate them together and provide for a secure fit to the person's head. When the person wants the brim section 16 to be moved away from the eyes for expanded visibility, they merely push the brim section 16 of the headwear in an upwardly then backwardly motion, causing the brim section 16 to fold where the brim section 16 is attached to the bottom edge of the crown portion 14, and continue pushing the brim section 16 until the top portion of the brim section 16 having the second fastening means 20, comes in contact with the first fastening means 18 on the front of the crown portion 14, thus securing the brim section 16 in this flipped upward position. When the person wants the brim section 16 of the headwear to be used for shade, the person grabs the outer edge of the brim section 16 and pulls it in an outwardly and downwardly motion to separate the first and second fastening means 18 and 20 until the brim section 16 is back in its normal resting position.

DESCRIPTION Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 5A to 5D

FIG. 5A is an orthogonal view of the headwear showing an industry standard “bucket” or “fishing” style of construction with a full flexible brim 28. The headwear is constructed using any suitable fabric or textile material as would be used by someone skilled in the art. FIG. 5A displays the front of the crown portion 26 having a first fastening means 30 of hook and/or loop material, and brim section 28 having a second fastening means 32 of hook and/or loop material. Although this embodiment is shown using a hook and loop design to removably secure the brim section 28 to the crown portion 26 in a flipped upward position, other types of fastening devices and methods could be used in the alternative, such as a snap and receptacle arrangement.

The hook and/or loop material used for the first and second fastening means 30 and 32, are of sizable proportion to maintain the connection between the brim 28 and the crown 26. The embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, uses hook and loop strips approximately 20.0 mm to 30.0 mm wide by 70.0 mm to 100.0 mm in length, and are sewn and/or glued to the brim 28 and crown 26 using appropriate thread and/or adhesive for joining such materials together, as readily known by those skilled in the art.

Although this embodiment is shown using a hook and loop design to removably secure the brim section 28 to the crown portion 26 in a flipped upward position, other configurations and other types of fastening devices and methods could be used in the alternative, such as a snap and receptacle arrangement. Similarly, other arrangements, shapes, and sizes, of hook and loop material could be used, even including constructing the entire top of the brim 28 and/or front of the crown 26 out of hook and loop material.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above and to the side and shows the front of the crown portion 26 of the first fastening means 30, and brim section 28 having the second fastening means 32. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means 30 and 32 are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 28 to be pushed up out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above the front and shows the front of the crown portion 26 with the brim section 28 flipped upward and secured to the crown portion 26. In this position, the first fastening means 30 (not visible in this figure) and second fastening means 32 (not visible in this figure) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen. The brim section 28 may be placed in the normal resting position to shield the wearer's face from the sun, by simply applying enough force to overcome the physical mating of the first and second fastening means 30 and 32 to each other.

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above the side and shows the front of the crown portion 26 with the brim section 28 flipped upward and secured to the crown portion 26. In this position, the first fastening means 30 (not visible in figure) and second fastening means 32 (not visible in this figure) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen. The brim section 28 may be placed in the normal resting position to shield the wearer's face from the sun, by simply applying enough force to overcome the physical mating of the first and second fastening means 30 and 32 to each other.

Operation—Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 5A to 5D

The manner of using the headwear is such that a person places the article of headwear on their head and then participates in their activities. When the person wants the brim section 28 to be moved away from the eyes for expanded visibility, they would merely push the brim section 28 of the headwear in an upwardly then backwardly motion, causing the brim section 28 to fold where the brim section 28 is attached to the bottom edge of the crown portion 26, and continue pushing until the top portion of the brim section 28, having the second fastening means 32, comes in contact with the first fastening means 30 on the front of the crown portion 26, thus securing the brim section 28 in this flipped upward position. When the person wants the brim section 28 of the headwear to be used for shade, the person grabs the outer edge of the brim section 28 and pulls it in an outwardly and downwardly motion to separate the first and second fastening means 30 and 32, until the brim section 28 is back in its normal resting position.

DESCRIPTION Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 6A to 6D

FIG. 6A is an orthogonal view from the front of the headwear, adding a typical chinstrap 22. This figure displays the front of the crown portion 26 having a first fastening means 30 using hook and/or loop material, and brim section 28 having a second fastening means 32 using hook and/or loop material. Although this embodiment is shown using a hook and loop design to removably secure the brim section 28 to the crown portion 26 in a flipped upward position, other types of fastening devices and methods could be used in the alternative, such as a snap and receptacle arrangement.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above and shows the front of the crown portion 26 of the first fastening means 30, and brim section 28 having the second fastening means 32, and shows the chinstrap 22. It is to be understood that the first and second fastening means 30 and 32 are removably joined together when the wearer desires the brim section 28 to be pushed up out of the wearer's vision.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above the front and shows the added chinstrap 22 and the brim section 28 flipped upward and secured to the crown portion 26. In this position, the first fastening means 30 (not visible in this view) and second fastening means 32 (not visible in this view) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen. The brim section 28 may be placed in the normal resting position to shield the wearer's face from the sun, by simply applying enough force to overcome the physical mating of the first and second fastening means 30 and 32 to each other.

FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above the side and shows the front of the crown portion 26 with the brim section 28 flipped upward and secured to the crown portion 26. This figure also shows the chinstrap 22. With the brim section 28 in this position, the first fastening means 30 (not visible in this view) and second fastening means 32 (not visible in this view) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen. The brim section 28 may be placed in the normal resting position to shield the wearer's face from the sun, by simply applying enough force to overcome the physical mating of the first and second fastening means 30 and 32 to each other.

Operation—Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 6A to 6D

The manner of using the headwear is such that a person places the article of headwear on their head and secures the chinstrap 22 under the chin to keep the headwear on the person's head prior to participating in the sport activities. When the person wants the brim section 28 to be moved away from the eyes for expanded visibility, they would merely push the brim section 28 of the headwear in an upwardly then backwardly motion, causing the brim section 28 to fold where the brim section 28 is attached to the bottom edge of the crown portion 26, and continue pushing until the top portion of the brim section 28, having the second fastening means 32, comes in contact with the first fastening means 30 on the front of the crown portion 26, thus securing the brim section 28 in this flipped upward position. When the person wants the brim section 28 of the headwear to be used for shade, the person grabs the outer edge of the brim section 28 and pulls it in an outwardly and downwardly motion to separate the first and second fastening means 30 and 32, until the brim section 28 is back in its normal resting position.

DESCRIPTION Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 7A to 7C

FIG. 7A is an orthogonal view of another embodiment of the full brim style of headwear displaying the front of the crown portion 26 having a first fastening means 38 using a receptacle, and brim section 28 having a second fastening means 36 using a snap. Although this embodiment is shown using a snap and receptacle design to removably secure the brim section 28 to the crown portion 26 in a flipped upward position, other types of fastening devices and methods could be used in the alternative, such as a hook and loop arrangement.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above the front and shows the front of the crown portion 26 with the brim section 28 flipped upward and secured to the crown portion 26. In this position, the first fastening means 38 (not visible in this view) and second fastening means 36 (only the underside visible in this figure) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen. The brim section 28 may be placed in the normal resting position to shield the wearer's face from the sun, by simply applying enough force to overcome the physical mating of the first and second fastening means 38 and 36 to each other.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the headwear looking from slightly above the side and shows the front of the crown portion 26 with the brim section 28 flipped upward. In this position, the first fastening means 38 (not visible in this view) and second fastening means 36 (only the underside visible in this figure) are joined together by the nature of the particular fastening means chosen. The brim section 28 may be placed in the normal resting position to shield the wearer's face from the sun, by simply applying enough force to overcome the physical mating of the first and second fastening means 38 and 36 to each other.

Operation—Additional Embodiment—FIGS. 7A to 7C

With the embodiment for the headwear, when the person wants the brim section 28 to be moved away from the eyes for expanded visibility, they would merely push the brim section 28 of the headwear in an upwardly then backwardly motion, causing the brim section 28 to fold where the brim section 28 is attaches to the bottom edge of the crown portion 26, and continue pushing until the top portion of the brim section 28, having the second fastening means 36, comes in contact with the first fastening means 38, and then continue pushing until second fastening means 36 engages into the first fastening means 38, thus securing the brim section 28 in this flipped upward position. When the person wants the brim section 28 of the headwear to be used for shade, the wearer grabs the outer edge of the brim section 28 and pulls it in an outwardly and downwardly motion to separate the first and second fastening means 38 and 36, until the brim section 28 is back in its normal resting position.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the headwear provides a more useful and safer article of headwear for use in many sports, where lacking the ability to quickly and securely move the brim section out of the wearer's path of vision, can be dangerous.

From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my headwear with securely adjustable brim, become evident:

a) By securing the brim in an upward position, the wearer has completely unobstructed visibility which is safer not only for the wearer, but for anyone else nearby who could be injured should the wearer be on a surfboard or driving a boat or kayak or any other moving vessel.

b) Stress is reduced to the wearer's neck and back when participating in the sport of surfing since the wearer won't have to arch their neck and head back in order to see past the bill area when in a prone position on the surfboard.

c) With the bill placed in a secured position, it's prevented from getting pushed down over the wearer's eyes due to hydrodynamic drag or high winds, thus preventing a dangerous situation.

While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as exemplifications of several preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the attachment means for securing the brim section to the crown portion can take many other forms such as the use of magnetic material sewn within the brim section and crown portion fabrics, or the use of buckles, clips, or zipper type attachments. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. An article of headwear comprising:

a. a crown portion having a front and back and a bottom edge
b. a brim section having a top and bottom and extending outwardly from the bottom edge of the front of said crown portion
c. said brim section made of a flexible material to allow the wearer to flex said brim section to an upwardly position to meet said crown portion
d. a first fastening means attached to the front of said crown portion and a second fastening means attached to the top of said brim section, such that when said brim section is flexed upwardly to meet the front of said crown, said second fastening means will become removably joined together with said first fastening means thereby expanding the wearer's visibility.

2. The article of headwear of claim 1 wherein said first and second fastening means is hook and loop material.

3. The article of headwear of claim 1 wherein said first and second fastening means is a snap and receptacle arrangement.

4. The article of headwear of claim 1 further including a chin strap to secure the headwear on the head of the wearer.

5. The article of headwear of claim 1 further including adjustable means to vary the circumference of said crown with respect to the head of the wearer.

6. An article of headwear comprising:

a. a crown portion having a front and back and a bottom edge
b. a brim section having a top and bottom and extending generally radially outward from the bottom edge of said crown around substantially the entire periphery thereof and having a front and back
c. said brim section made of a flexible material to allow the wearer to flex the front of said brim section to an upwardly position to meet said crown portion
d. a first fastening means attached to the front of said crown portion and a second fastening means attached to the top of said brim section, such that when said brim section is flexed upwardly to meet the front of said crown, said second fastening means will become removably joined together with said first fastening means thereby expanding the wearer's visibility.

7. The article of headwear of claim 6 wherein said first and second fastening means is hook and loop material.

8. The article of headwear of claim 6 wherein said first and second fastening means is a snap and receptacle arrangement.

9. The article of headwear of claim 6 further including a chin strap to secure the headwear on the head of the wearer.

10. The article of headwear of claim 6 further including adjustable means to vary the circumference of said crown with respect to the head of the wearer.

Patent History
Publication number: 20110283441
Type: Application
Filed: May 16, 2011
Publication Date: Nov 24, 2011
Inventor: Scott Alan Orman (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 13/108,353
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Having Upturned And Close Fitting Rim, Brim, Or Visor (2/195.7)
International Classification: A42B 1/00 (20060101);