Crescent Shaped Headband

Abstract

A headband that includes a connecting material and a headband body connected to each other at their respective opposing ends. The headband body has an inner and outer edge, which may be curved. The distance between the inner and outer edge generally becomes shorter nearer the ends of the headband body. If curved, the inner and outer edges may have different radii, such that the tube is generally crescent shaped. The general crescent shape creates a more comfortable fit and results from the ratio of the radius of the inner edge curve to the radius of the outer edge curve being greater than about 1 and less than about 6. A more comfortable fit can also result from a particular ratio wherein the width at the center of the headband body is greater than the width at the ends of the headband body.

Description

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the following patent applications which are hereby incorporated by reference: This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 13/739,771, filed Jan. 11, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/586,284, filed Jan. 13, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a headband. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an apparatus having an elastic portion allowing the apparatus to fit a wide range of sizes. More particularly, the invention relates to a wide headband and further relates to a crescent-shaped headband.

Many items that are intended to fit on objects of different sizes use elastic to achieve that feat. For example, a headband that is meant to fit many different head sizes may be formed, at least partially, from an elastic material to enable the headband to automatically adjust to different size heads. One property of an elastic material is that it takes an increasing amount of force to stretch the elastic material an increased distance. To maximize wearer comfort and fit for wearers having very different size heads, some headbands include elastic around the entire circumference of the headband such that the headband stretches evenly and exerts even pressure on wearers having different head sizes. However, as the wearer puts the headband on, the circumference of the headband shrinks in the area of the headband in contact with the wearer's hair causing pulling and bunching of the wearer's hair. To prevent pulling and bunching of the wearer's hair, some headbands are formed from a length of inelastic material (e.g., fabric) intended to contact the wearer's hair and a length of elastic material intended to contact the back of the wearer's head. The ends of the inelastic material are attached to the ends of the elastic material to form the headband. This type of headband thus has a limited length of elastic material which will cause the headband to be looser on smaller heads and tighter on larger heads than a headband including elastic material about the entire circumference of the headband. Thus, while the headband can be used on different head sizes, it may be loose and fall off of smaller heads while being tight and uncomfortable on larger heads.

Elastic materials and bands formed partially of elastic material are used in other applications to achieve universal fit. For example, partial elastic materials are used in waistbands, shirt collars, hat sweatbands, masks, and eye patches.

It is further important for a wide headband to fit well and to look aesthetically pleasing on the head of the wearer. For thinner headbands (e.g., with a width of 1 inch or less), there is typically not a problem with the headband conforming to the shape of the head and appearing well-fitting. As headbands get wider (e.g., with a width greater than 1 inch), however, it is more difficult for the headband to conform to the shape of the head and lie flatly on the top of the head. One of the contributing factors to a wide headband fitting well and looking aesthetically pleasing on a wearer's head is the shape and size of the headband. Typically, a wide headband wearer desires a well-fitting headband that conforms to the head. A wide headband wearer also desires to avoid wrinkles and wishes to avoid any part of the headband “bunching up.”Many wide headbands have elastic to pull the headband toward the head and to prevent a loose fit, but while the elastic may be taut, the headband is not taut, causing it to “bunch up” or rise above the top of the head. This “bunching up can result in an ill-fitting headband causing an awkward feeling to the wearer. Wide headband wearers thus need a wide headband that will conform to the shape of the head over the entire surface of the headband.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, an expandable joint includes a length of elastic material, a low-friction sleeve, and a headband body, such as a woven or non-woven fabric that forms a tube. The low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a portion of the length of elastic material. The length of elastic material is affixed to the low-friction sleeve at a first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The length of elastic material extends beyond a second end of the low-friction sleeve opposite the first end of the low-friction sleeve. A fabric formed tube substantially encloses the low-friction sleeve. The low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube at the first end of the low-friction sleeve or the point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve, and the length of elastic material extends beyond a first end of the tube.

In another aspect, a band operable to automatically adjust to a size within a range of sizes includes elastic material, a first low-friction sleeve, a second low-friction sleeve, and a tube. The length of elastic material has a first end and a second end. The first low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a first portion of the length of elastic material adjacent the first end of the length of elastic material. The length of elastic material is affixed to the first low-friction sleeve at a first end of the first low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the first low-friction sleeve and the first end of the length of elastic material. The second low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a second portion of the length of elastic material adjacent the second end of the length of elastic material. The length of elastic material is affixed to the second low-friction sleeve at a first end of the second low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the second low-friction sleeve and the second end of the length of elastic material. The tube has a first end and a second end, and the first and then the second and are not enclosed. The first low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube adjacent the first end of the tube at the first end of the first low-friction sleeve or the point adjacent to the first end of the first low-friction sleeve. The second low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube adjacent the second end of the tube at the first end of the second low-friction sleeve or the point adjacent to the first end of the second low-friction sleeve.

In one embodiment, a length of elastic material forms an expandable joint with a fabric to make an item including the expandable joint fit better on objects of different sizes. Unlike the traditional method of sewing the end of the elastic directly to the end of the adjacent fabric, in this embodiment, the elastic is sewn between two pieces of fabric at a point in the fabric away from the end of the fabric, wherein the fabric forms a tube substantially enclosing the length of elastic material. The end of the elastic material is encased in a small, semi-rigid plastic sleeve to prevent the fabric tube from bunching up around the elastic material when the elastic material is stretched. A headband including a pair of these expandable joints feels tighter on smaller heads and looser on larger heads, for a better overall fit than headbands employing the prior art method of sewing the end of the elastic material directly to the end of the adjacent fabric. The better overall fit also makes wearing the headband more comfortable. Although the example given is for headbands, the technology for connecting the elastic can be used in a wide range of items that use elastic to create an item with a universal fit including hat sweatbands, waistbands, shirt collars, etc.

In another aspect, a headband includes a headband body having a length and two ends. The headband body has an inner edge and an outer edge that are separated by a width. The inner edge of the headband body forms a curve and the outer edge of the headband body forms a curve. The curve of the inner edge of the headband body and the curve of the outer edge of the headband body have different radii from one another. The headband body is generally crescent-shaped. The ratio of the radius of the curve of the inner edge to the radius of the curve of the outer edge is greater than about 1 and less than about 6.

In another optional embodiment, a headband includes a headband body having a length and two ends. The headband has an inner edge and an outer edge that are separated by a width. The inner edge of the headband body and the outer edge of the headband body are substantially non-parallel. The headband body has widths at the ends and the center. The ratio of the center width of the headband body to the width at either the first end of the headband body or the second end of the headband body is greater than about 1.

Other embodiments result from a combination of the above embodiments and are further described and claimed below. Yet other embodiments evident from this disclosure will become apparent to the skilled artisan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various drawings unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an expandable joint.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a headband having a partially assembled expandable joint.

FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective side view of the headband of FIG. 2 showing assembly of the expandable joint.

FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective side view of a headband having a pair of expandable joints.

FIG. 5 is an elevated view of a portion of a crescent-shaped headband body.

FIG. 6 illustrates a typical wide headband on a human head.

FIG. 7 illustrates a generally crescent-shaped headband.

FIG. 8 is an elevated perspective view of a generally crescent-shaped headband.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but rather include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as set forth in the claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, a partially assembled expandable joint 200 shows a connection of a length of elastic material 108 to an inelastic material (e.g., first fabric 102 and second fabric 104). A length of a first fabric 102 is affixed to a length of a second fabric 104 along corresponding edges to form a headband body such as a tube having an at least partially open end. In one embodiment, the first fabric 102 is a decorative fabric ribbon intended to be on the front or visible portion of a headband including the expandable joint 200. In one embodiment, the second fabric 104 is a fabric selected to hold a headband including the expandable joint 200 in place on a user's head. The second fabric may be a woven pile type material, such as velvet. A semi-rigid plastic sleeve 106 is formed by folding a flat piece of plastic approximately in half about any end of a length of elastic material 108. The semi-rigid plastic sleeve 106 prevents the headband fabric (i.e., first fabric 102 and second fabric 104) from bunching up when the length of elastic material 108 is stretched. A sewn seam 110 connects the semi-rigid plastic sleeve 106 and the length of elastic material 108 to the second fabric 104 at a point adjacent to a first end of the semi-rigid plastic sleeve 106. In one embodiment, an end of the length of the first fabric 102 is folded back, and an end of the length of the second fabric 104 is folded back, such that the ends of the length of the first fabric 102 and the length of the second fabric 104 are inside the tube formed by the first fabric 102 and the second fabric 104. The low-friction sleeve 106 may be approximately even with the end of the tube formed by the first fabric 102 and the second fabric 104 or slightly set back from the end of the tube by about ⅛ of an inch. The tube formed by the first fabric 102 and the second fabric 103 substantially encloses the low-friction sleeve 106.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an expandable joint 200 includes a length of elastic material 108, resilience sleeve 106, and a tube 202. The expandable joint 200 is shown partially assembled for illustrative purposes. The low-friction sleeve 106 covers two opposing sides of a portion of the length of elastic material 108. In this context, low-friction means having a coefficient of friction low enough with respect to the length of elastic material that the elastic material can contract within the sleeve 106 without deforming the tube 202. The low-friction sleeve 106 may be rigid, semi-rigid, and/or resilient such as various plastics and metals when used with a fabric based length of elastic material 108. The low-friction sleeve 106 has a first end 204 and a second end 206 opposite the first end 204. The low-friction sleeve 106 is affixed to the tube 202 at the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106 or a point adjacent to the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the low-friction sleeve 106 is affixed to the tube 202 at the point adjacent to the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106 by a stitch through the low-friction sleeve 106, the length of elastic material 108, and the tube 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the stitch is through the second fabric 104 (e.g., velvet), but not the first fabric 102. In one embodiment, the low-friction sleeve 106 is formed of a smooth, semi-rigid plastic and may be a flat piece of plastic folded approximately in half about the first end of the length of elastic material 108.

The length of elastic material 108 is affixed to the low-friction sleeve 106, and the length of elastic material 108 extends beyond the second ends 206 of the low-friction sleeve 106. In one embodiment, the length of elastic material 108 is affixed the low-friction sleeve 106 at the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106 or point adjacent to the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106. As shown in FIG. 2, a first end 208 of the length of elastic material 108 is attached the low-friction sleeve 106 point adjacent to the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106. However, the length of elastic material 108 may also be attached to the low-friction sleeve 106 at a point adjacent to the first end 208 of the length of elastic material 108. The length of elastic material 108 is only affixed to the low-friction sleeve 106 and/or the tube 202 at the first end 208 of the low-friction sleeve 106 at the first end 208 of the length of elastic material 108 and/or the point adjacent to the first end 208 of the length of elastic material 108. That is, the length of elastic material 108 is not affixed to the low-friction sleeve 106 or tube 202 near the first end 210 of the tube 202 such that the portion of the length of elastic material 108 covered by the low-friction sleeve 106 may expand and contract within the low-friction sleeve 106. In one embodiment, the length of elastic material is elastic band and the portion of the length of elastic material 108 covered by the low-friction sleeve 106 is from the first end of the length of elastic material 208 to about 1 inch from the first end 208 of the length of elastic material 108.

The tube 202 substantially encloses the low-friction sleeve 106 when the expandable joint 200 is fully assembled (see FIG. 4). That is, the tube 202 substantially prevents the low-friction sleeve 106 from being seen by an observer outside of the fully assembled expandable joint 200. The tube 202 has a first end 210 and a second end 402 opposite the first end 210. The low-friction sleeve 106 is affixed to the tube 202, and the length of elastic material 108 extends beyond the first end 210 of the tube 202. In one embodiment, the tube 202 is flexible and may be formed of fabric. In one embodiment, the tube 202 includes a length of material having two opposing edges affixed to one another. In another embodiment, the tube 202 includes a length of a first material 102 (e.g., a first side or a first fabric such as a decorative fabric) having a first edge opposite a second edge of the first material and a length of a second material 104 (e.g., a second side or a second fabric such as a velvet ribbon) having a first edge opposite a second edge of the second material. The first edge of the first material 102 is affixed to the first edge and second material 104, and the second edge of the first material 102 is affixed to the second edge of the second material 104 such as by sewing. The length of the first material 102 has a first end at the first end 210 of the tube 202, and a portion of the length of the first material 102 is folded back into the tube 202 at the first end 210 of the tube 202. The length of the second material 104 has a first end at the first end 210 of the tube, and a portion of the length of the second material 104 is folded back into the tube 202 at the first end 210 of the tube 202.

In one embodiment, the length of elastic material 108 is affixed to the low-friction sleeve 106 and the tube 202 substantially enclosing the low-friction sleeve 106 at the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106 or a point adjacent to the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106 by a seam sewn through the tube 202, low-friction sleeve 106, and length of elastic material 108 at a point adjacent to the first end 204 of the low-friction sleeve 106. In one embodiment, the second end 206 of the low-friction sleeve 106 beyond which the length of elastic material 108 extends is substantially aligned with the first end 210 of the tube 202 beyond which the length of elastic material 108 extends, or in an alternative embodiment, the second end 206 of the low-friction sleeve 106 is set back approximately ⅛ of an inch from the first end 210 of the tube 202.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a band 400 is fully assembled including a first expandable joint 200 and a second expandable joint 200A. Both the first expandable joint 200 and the second expandable joint 200A are constructed as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. The band 400 is operable to automatically adjust to a size within a range of sizes. The exemplary band 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is a headband. The band 400 includes a length of elastic material 108, a first low-friction sleeve 106, a second low-friction sleeve (not visible in this fully assembled illustration), and a tube 202. The length of elastic material 108 has a first end 208 and a second end opposite the first end 208. The first low-friction sleeve 106 covers at least 2 opposing sides of a first portion of the length of elastic material 108 adjacent the first end 208 of the length of elastic material 108. The second low-friction sleeve covers at least 2 opposing sides of a second portion of the length of elastic material 108 adjacent the second end of the length of elastic material 108. The tube 202 has a first end 210 and a second end 402 opposite the first end 210. First end 210 and the second end 402 are not enclosed (i.e., they are at least partially open). The first low-friction sleeve 106 is affixed to the tube 202 adjacent the first end 210 of the tube 202, and the second low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube 202 adjacent the second end 402 of the tube 202. The first low-friction sleeve 106 is substantially enclosed by the tube 202, and the second low-friction sleeve is substantially enclosed by the tube 202. In one embodiment, the first portion of the length of elastic material 108, and the second portion of the length of the elastic material 108 are each approximately 1 inch long. That is, the portion of each and of the elastic material 108 covered by a low-friction sleeve is approximately 1 inch long. First low-friction sleeve 106 is affixed to the tube 202 at the first end of the first low-friction sleeve 106 or a point adjacent to the first end of the first low-friction sleeve, and the second low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube 202 at a first end of the second low-friction sleeve where a point adjacent to the first end of the second low-friction sleeve. In one embodiment, the second ends of the first and second low-friction sleeves are each set back from the corresponding end of the tube 202 by approximately ⅛ of an inch. In one embodiment, the tube 202 includes a length of a first material 102 having a first edge opposite a second edge, and a length of a second material 104 having a first edge opposite a second edge. The first edge of first material 102 is affixed to the first edge of the second material 104, and the second edge of the first material 102 is affixed to the second edge of the second material 104 so as to form the tube 202. In one embodiment, the first material is a decorative fabric, and the second fabric is a woven pile type material, such as a velvet ribbon.

The expandable joint 200 may be used in for example a snorkeling facemask, a bracelet, a watch band, or a hat. It is also contemplated that the tube 202 may be round, such as a rubber or latex tube; that the sleeve 106 may be a tube having a round or rectangular cross section; and that the length of elastic material 108 may be an elastic material, length of rubber, length of latex, length of nitrile, or any other material exhibiting significant elasticity.

In one embodiment a first low-friction sleeve 106 at a first expandable joint 200 and a second low-friction sleeve at a second expandable joint 202A of a band 400 (e.g., a headband) are formed from a single piece of material. This may be beneficial such as in a headband application to help maintain an outer fabric of the headband in a flat and outward facing position when in use (i.e., when being worn by a user). In such a configuration, the low-friction sleeve 106 may be sewn along the lengthwise edges of a first material 102 and a second material 106 forming the tube 202.

FIG. 5 depicts a portion of a headband body 500. The edges of the headband body may be described as an inner edge 502 and an outer edge 504. The inner edge 502 and the outer edge 504 may be substantially non-parallel. The inner edge 502 and the outer edge 504 may be substantially non-curved and may consist of connecting non-parallel edge portions, such as a section of a polygon. These edge portions may or may not be parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner edge 502 and the outer edge 504 may be curved. The inner edge curve 502 and the outer edge curve 504 may result in a crescent shaped headband body. Crescent-shaped, as used herein, means that the inner edge 502 and the outer edge 504 are both curves, one having a radius less than the other and that the inner edge 502 and the outer edge 504 both have the same direction of curvature. In one embodiment, the curves are both concave and in another embodiment the curves are both convex. However, in optional embodiments, the inner and outer edges can curve in different directions. The radius, as used herein, means the radius of curvature at the center of the length of the curve. The radius of curvature is the radius which best approximates the radius at that point. The radius of the inner and outer edge curves may be the same or may vary. For example, it may be beneficial to have an inner edge 502 and outer edge 504 formed in the shape of a curve having varying radii. In other words, the radius of the curve of the inner edge 502 may range from 20 inches to 50 inches. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the radius of the curve of the inner edge may be about 35 inches. The radius of the outer edge curve may range from about 10 inches to 25 inches. In an embodiment, the radius of the outer edge curve may be about 14 inches. In a further optional embodiment, the ratio of the radius of the inner edge 502 to the radius of the outer edge 504 may range from greater than about 1 to less than about 6. This ratio can be referred to as the “inner to outer edge curve ratio.” Generally, optional embodiments may include an inner to outer edge curve ratio in the range of about 2 to 4. In some optional embodiments, the inner to outer edge curve ratio is about 2.6. The radius of the inner and outer curves may also increase toward the ends of the inner and outer curves.

In an optional embodiment, the ratio of the center width of the headband body to the width at either the first end of the headband body or the second end of the headband body is greater than about 1. The ratio of the center width of the headband body to the width at either the first end of the headband body or the second end of the headband body may be greater than about 2 and less than about 5.

In an optional embodiment, the headband body 500 may be about ¾ inches wide at the ends, about 1⅞ inches wide at the center, and about 14 inches long. In yet further optional embodiments, the end width may vary, generally from about ½ inches to 1½ inches wide, though the end width may be larger or smaller. The center width may vary, generally from about 1 to 3 inches wide, though the center width may be larger or smaller too. In such optional embodiments, the end width is generally smaller than the center width.

FIG. 6 depicts a prior art headband that is not crescent-shaped and does not conform to the inner to outer edge curve ratios described above. As shown in FIG. 6, when using a typical wide headband, the front side or outer edge 504 of the headband 602 typically lies down on the head but the back side or inner edge 502 typically bunches together, creating a gap 604, causing the headband to tend to slide off the head. The unevenness caused by the fit of a typical wide headband 602 also results in the wearer experiencing an ill-fitting feeling, as the bunching causes the wearer to be uncomfortable.

As shown in FIG. 7, the crescent shape formed when the ratios described above are used allows the headband body to sit evenly on a human head when used as part of a headband. The crescent shaped headband 702 allows the entire surface of the headband body to lie down evenly and flatly on the head. Likewise, it us understood that the various headband body embodiments described above will achieve the same beneficial result.

As shown in FIG. 8, the crescent shaped headband 602 can be made with a headband body 500, such as a tube or a fabric structure that has an inner and outer edge folder over to create separate tubes on the inner and outer edges. The headband body has a length of approximately 14 inches. A connecting material or connecting piece of fabric 802, such as an elastic material may connect the ends of the headband body. The connecting material can be approximately 6½ inches in length though can be longer or shorter in other embodiments. In various embodiments, the connecting material may be black, as it is a neutral color, although the connecting material can be any color. The connecting material may be from 4 inches to 8 inches long, and the width of the connecting material can range from ⅛ inches to ¾ inches thick. In one embodiment, the connecting material is ¼ inches wide and 6½ inches long.

In optional embodiments, the headband body described herein may be used with the expandable joint disclosed above. Thus, the headband body may be connected or affixed to a low-friction sleeve designed to hold a length of connecting material. The headband body described herein may enclose the low-friction sleeve or may be connected to a point adjacent to the end of the connecting material at a point adjacent to the end of the headband body.

Furthermore, in optional embodiments the headband body may include an unfolded piece of fabric, a tube, or a piece of fabric folded at its ends to create one or more tubes for insertion of an elastic material or other fabric intended to hold the headband body on a human head. The headband body may, therefore, include a singular piece of fabric that may or may not be sewn to itself. As used herein, the term “tube” may be understood as an overlapping material or a portion of overlapping material having edges substantially connected. Furthermore, “tube” may be used to describe a headband body that only includes overlapping material with substantially connected edges at an end of the headband or as further described above.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

It will be understood that the particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein may be made and/or executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful CRESCENT SHAPED HEADBAND, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A crescent-shaped headband comprising:

a headband body having a length between a first end and a second end, the first end of the headband body opposite the second end of the headband body, the headband body also having an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge of the headband body and the outer edge of the headband body separated by a width;

the inner edge of the headband body forming a curve and the outer edge of the headband body forming a curve;

the curve of the inner edge of the headband body and the curve of the outer edge of the headband body having different radii from one another;

the curve of the inner edge of the headband body and the curve of the outer edge of the headband body having the same direction of curvature; and

the ratio of the radius of the curve of the inner edge of the headband body to the radius of the curve of the outer edge of the headband body is greater than about 1 and less than about 6.

2. The headband of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the radius of the curve of the inner edge of the headband body to the radius of the curve of the outer edge of the headband body is greater than about 2 and less than about 3.

3. The headband of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the radius of the curve of the inner edge of the headband body to the radius of the curve of the outer edge of the headband body is greater than about 2.3 and less than about 2.7.

4. The headband of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the radius of the curve of the inner edge of the headband body to the radius of the curve of the outer edge of the headband body is greater than about 2.5 and less than about 2.6.

5. The headband of claim 1, wherein the radius of the curve of the inner edge of the headband body is about 20 inches to 50 inches and the radius of the curve of the outer edge of the headband body is about 10 inches to 25 inches.

6. The headband of claim 1, wherein the radius of the curve of the inner edge of the headband body is about 30 inches to 40 inches and the radius of the curve of the outer edge of the headband body is about 12 inches to 18 inches.

7. The headband of claim 1, wherein the radius of the curve of the inner edge of the headband body is about 36 inches and the radius of the curve of the outer edge of the headband body is about 14 inches.

8. The headband of claim 1, wherein the headband body comprises a length of a first material and a length of a second material, wherein the first material is affixed to the second material, and wherein the first material is a decorative fabric and the second material is a woven pile type material.

9. A headband comprising:

a headband body having a length between a first end and a second end, the first end of the headband body opposite the second end of the headband body, and a center between the first end of the headband body and the second end of the headband body;

the headband body also having an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge of the headband body and the outer edge of the headband body separated by a width;

the inner edge of the headband body and the outer edge of the headband body being substantially non-parallel;

the headband body having a first end width at the first end of the headband body, the headband body having a second end width at the second end of the headband body;

the headband body having a center width at the center of the length between the first end of the headband body and second end of the headband body; and

the ratio of the center width of the headband body to the width at either the first end of the headband body or the second end of the headband body is greater than about 1.

10. The headband of claim 9, wherein the ratio of the center width of the headband body to the width at each of the first and second ends of the headband body is greater than about 2 and less than about 5.

11. The headband of claim 9, wherein the width at each of the first and second ends of the headband body are about equal.

12. The headband of claim 9, wherein the headband body is comprised of a single piece of fabric having at least one tube formed on either the inner edge of the headband body or the outer edge of the headband body by folding the piece of fabric toward itself and affixing the fabric to itself.

13. The headband of claim 9, wherein the headband body comprises a length of a first material and a length of a second material, wherein the first material is affixed to the second material, and wherein the first material is a decorative fabric and the second material is a woven pile type material.

14. The headband of claim 13, wherein the second material is velvet.

15. The headband of claim 9, wherein the headband body further comprises a connecting material extending lengthwise and affixed to the headband body at a point adjacent each of the first and second ends of the headband body.

16. A headband comprising:

a length of connecting material having a first end and a second end, the first end opposite the second end;

a first low-friction sleeve covering at least two opposing sides of a first portion of the length of connecting material adjacent the first end of the length of connecting material;

a second low-friction sleeve covering at least two opposing sides of a second portion of the length of connecting material adjacent the second end of the length of connecting material;

a headband body having a length between a first end and a second end, the first end opposite the second end, the headband body also having an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge and the outer edge separated by a width;

the first end of the headband body affixed to the first low-friction sleeve at a point adjacent to the first end of the connecting material and the second end of the headband body affixed to the second low-friction sleeve at a point adjacent to the first end of the connecting material;

the inner edge of the headband body forming a curve and the outer edge of the headband body forming a curve;

the curve of the inner edge of the headband body and the curve of the outer edge of the headband body having different radii from one another; and

the ratio of the radius of the curve of the inner edge to the radius of the curve of the outer edge is greater than about 1 and less than about 6.

17. The headband of claim 16, wherein the low-friction sleeve is semi-rigid.

18. The headband of claim 16, wherein the ratio of the radius of the curve of the inner edge to the radius of the curve of the outer edge is about 2.33 to about 2.73.

19. The headband of claim 16, wherein the curve of the inner edge of the headband body and the curve of the outer edge of the headband body both have the same direction of curvature.

20. The headband of claim 16, wherein the headband body comprises a length of a first material and a length of a second material, wherein the first material is affixed to the second material, and wherein the first material is a decorative fabric and the second material is a woven pile type material.