HEADWEAR THAT PROTECTS HAIRSTYLE

Abstract

The invention teaches a hat that has an slit formed on a wall that is designed to allow hair or objects attached to not be contacted by a hat when worn. A flap connects to the hat and covers the slit to protect a wearers head from the environment and maintain shape of the hat. In an embodiment, the flap may be interchangeable to change the design of the hat.

Description

I. BACKGROUND

A. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to headdress or headwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to hats that are shaped and designed to allow for a hair style or objects therein to protrude through hat.

B. Description of the Related Art

When a person has a hairstyle that may include objects attached to their hair, it is difficult to wear headdress not limited to a hat, cap, bonnet, toque, etc., because the integrity of the hairstyle and or objects may be compromised requiring the hairstyle to be redone or touched up in many situations upon removing the headwear. Furthermore, depending on the style of the hair and or objects, the headdress may not fit properly over the head of the wearer as the hairstyle may cause a bulge for example.

Existing designs involve a permanent hole or opening in a hat that allows hair to be routed therethrough. For example, US 2011/0173739 (Riesen et al.) for an Invisible Zipper Ponytail Cap, discloses a cap that has an opening formed about the crown, wherein the opening may be modified by a zipper. The opening is limited to the crown region. U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,854 (Kronenberger) for Headwear Piece with Opening to Accommodate Wearer's Hair, also discloses a cap that has an opening formed about the crown. The hole is not able to be manipulated.

The aforesaid references both require an opening or hole to exist about the crown of the hat. A consequence of having a defined hole is that the utility of the hat may be limited to certain hair styles that originate about the crown of the head and furthermore, the permanent hole also defeats the purpose of a winter hat, for example, by allowing cold air to enter when the hole is in use. Additionally, because the aforesaid hats provide for a hair design that originates about the crown, the hats have an obvious element that makes the hat stand out as such, particularly when a wearer does not have a hairstyle that requires need or use of such a hole suggesting that a wearer have an alternate hat when not seeking to protect a hairstyle. Furthermore, aforesaid hats do not provide for an opening when a hairstyle does not originate about the crown.

There is a need in the art for a hat that provides the necessary use and protection such that there is no permanent opening in the crown region, which also provides for multiple hair styles, and provides for fashion sense when the hat is not being used to protect a hairstyle.

II. SUMMARY

The current invention comprises a headdress or hat that allows a portion of hair to protrude from the hat. In an embodiment, a slit is formed in the rear or posterior portion of a hat, for example, about the crown, and the slit may continue vertically to a lower edge of the hat, wherein the lower edge defines an opening to the hat. Additionally, a flap covers the slit and connects to the hat such that hair is allowed to pass there through while the wearer's head is completely covered. It is an embodiment of the invention that the flap may be releseably connected to the hat and interchangeable.

An advantage of an embodiment of the instant invention is that it allows a wearer to open the back of a hat and secure it about a hairstyle, such as a ponytail or braid. It is a further embodiment of the invention that the hat can be easily worn and adjusted by a child such that they can go to school and put on the claimed hat unassisted, and ensure their head—and optionally their ears—are protected from the elements such as cold air, snow, wind, etc.

Another advantage of an embodiment of the invention is that when the wearer of the hat does not want to use the hat to protect a hairstyle, the hat may be used as a regular hat that is stylish and not necessarily identified by its purpose of protecting a hairstyle.

Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the invention, is that it provides a wearer with the ability to change the look of a hat merely by exchanging and or replacing the flap (or segment thereof) with another flap (or segment thereof) that can have a different color, shape, design, material and so on, provided that the replacement flap has connecting means that can coordinating with connecting means disposed about the hat.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, some embodiments of which will be described in the specification and illustrated in accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, wherein, when referring to the drawings, the inventor identifies the following components thereto,

10, 40 and 45—flaps that cover a portion of 30—slit/opening that allows hair, hairstyle, and or objects to protrude; 35—origin of slit, said slit being defined by opposing edges 31, 32; 20—complimentary/interchangeable connecting means to connect said flap(s) with hat; and, 50—elective ear protectors, wherefore,

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a hat according to the instant invention that includes elective ear protectors 50. As shown, the hat and flap 10 are in a closed position, wherein slit 30 (not shown) is covered.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the hat according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein covered slit 30 is shown in broken lines. As shown, depending on the need of a wearer, the view may be of the front of the hat or the rear of the hat.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the hat according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein flap 10 extends in an outward direction and in an open position, thereby exposing slit/opening 30.

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the hat according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, wherefore slit/opening 30 is exposed, and complimentary connecting means 20 are shown to be disposed about flap 10 and said hat. As shown, depending on the need of a wearer, the view may be of the front of the hat or the rear of the hat.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the hat according to the embodiment FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a rear, perspective view of the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 1, when the hat is just placed on a wearer's head. As shown, the hat is in an open position, whereby flap 10 is open and exposing slit/opening to allow for clearance of a hair or objects connected thereto, such as a ponytail as shown, which may protrude about the upper crown of a wearer's head, for example.

FIG. 8 shows the same view of the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 7, wherein the hat is in a closed position and flap 10 is closed, wherein hair protrudes slit 30 and flap 10 at about the upper crown region of the wearer's head.

FIG. 9 shows a rear, perspective view of the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 1, when the hat is just placed on a wearer's head. As shown, the hat is in an open position, whereby flap 10 is open and exposing slit/opening to allow for clearance of a hair or objects connected thereto, such as a ponytail as shown, which may protrude about the lower crown of a wearer's head, for example.

FIG. 10 shows the same view of the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 9, wherein the hat is in a closed position and flap 10 is closed, wherein hair protrudes slit 30 and flap 10 at about the lower crown region of the wearer's head.

FIG. 11 shows the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 1, with flap 10 in a closed position without hair, style or object, intentionally protruding slit 30, but instead, exiting from the bottom of the hat.

FIG. 12 shows the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 1, away from a wearer's head, with flap 10 in an open position.

FIG. 13 shows a view of another embodiment of the instant invention, without elective ear protectors, and wherein alternating flaps 40, 45 extend from edges 32, 31 (respectively) of slit 30, as shown in a closed position. As shown, depending on the need of a wearer, the view may be of the front of the hat, the rear of the hat, or a side.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective of the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 13, wherein flaps 40, 45 are in an open position, exposing the slit/opening 30 and complimentary connection means 20.

FIG. 15 shows a rear view of another embodiment of the instant invention wherein flap 10 is removeable and interchangeable, and as shown may be considered to be in a closed position. As shown, depending on the need of a wearer, the view may be of the front of the hat or the rear of the hat.

FIG. 16 shows the hat according to the embodiment in FIG. 15, with flap 10 removed, and the hat is in an open position with slit 30 exposed. Broken lines indicate an embodiment of how complimentary connecting means 20 may orientate accordingly.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-16, the hat of the instant invention is for a hat that may comprise at least one wall that forms a substantially hollow semioval shape. The hat may have a closed upper portion 15 to contact a portion of a wearer's head, and an open lower portion, below said upper portion, that defines a lower edge which substantially surrounds a first opening of the hat 25 and which is used to accept a portion of a wearer's head.

A second opening or slit 30 is formed on the wall of the hat that is shaped and sized to allow for hair, or objects attached thereto, to avoid being contacted by the wall of the hat when the hat is put on a wearer's head. A flap 10 is shaped and sized to substantially cover the second opening 30 when in a closed position, but allow for hair or other objects to pass therethrough.

As shown, slit 30 (i.e., second opening of the hat) has an origin 35 that is defined by a first edge 31 and a second edge 32 which extend from said origin 35 lengths l₁ and l₂ respectively, and which terminate at the lower edge of the hat. Slit 30 may be located anywhere about said wall not limited to the rear of the head, temple, rear or fore region, for example, provided that when said hat is worn, any hair, hairstyle, or object connected thereto should be allowed to protrude the hat, via slit 30 and not be damaged, tangled, or otherwise affected. In the embodiment for example, when there are no ear protectors, the hat may be merely rotated such that the slit 30 may be positioned about a wearer's head to accommodate for a hairstyle, object, or for fashionable reasons.

Flap 10, has a first end 110 and a second end 120 that defines a width, w therebetween. In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the first end 110 of the flap 10 connects to the wall of said hat at a first area, and the second end 120 of flap 10 connects to the wall of said hat at a second area, wherein a portion of the width substantially covers slit 30. As shown, the first end 110 of said flap 10 comprises a length l₃ that is at least about l₂ or greater, and connects to the wall of said hat about the second edge 31. Additionally, the second end 120 of the flap 10 comprises a length l₄ that is at least about l₁ or greater and connects to the wall of the hat about the first edge 32 as shown. As shown in FIGS. 1-12, flap 10 originates from along the length of edge 31 and extends a sufficient distance such that it can completely cover the opening formed by slit 30, and be able to connect to complimentary connecting means 20 disposed about the hat. As shown, said complimentary means 20 are disposed about edge 31. It is an object of the invention that flap 10 (including flaps 40 and 45, discussed herein) can wrap about the hat less than a rotation or more. Accordingly, it is within the scope of the invention that flap 10 could pass over the face of a wearer and provide extra protection against weathering, for example.

It is an embodiment of the invention that ends of the flap may be permanently or releseably connected to the hat. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, both ends 110 and 120 may be releseably connected to that hat by connection means 20 disposed about said ends and about the area of said hat, wherein said means 20 are interchangeable and may be corresponding/complimentary means not limited to buttons and holes, hook and loop, snaps and other known means. It is an embodiment of the invention that in an example wherein the hat may be knitted, buttons (i.e., connecting means 20 disposed about flap 10) may randomly connect with holes inherent to the knit, therefore allowing a user to adjust the tightness of the flap based on need. It is further within the scope of the invention that flap is knitted and or comprises a series of holes and or connecting means as well.

FIGS. 1-12 provide the example whereby one end of flap 10 may be integrally connected to the wall of the hat at the second area (therefore not shown) by virtue of it being an extension of the hat itself or by similar long-lasting effects such as stitching or glue, for example. As shown, connecting means 20 are disposed about edge 110 of flap 10 and correspond to connecting means 20 disposed about edge 31. Said connecting means 20 are interchangeable and may be corresponding/complimentary means not limited to buttons and holes, hook and loop, snaps and other known means. It is an embodiment of the invention that in an example wherein the hat may be knitted, buttons (i.e., connecting means 20 disposed about flap 10) may randomly connect with holes inherent to the knit, therefore allowing a user to adjust the tightness of the flap 10 based on need. It is further within the scope of the invention that flap is knitted and or comprises a series of holes and or connecting means as well.

It is an embodiment of the invention that hair may protrude and or escape from the hat through slit 30 past flap 10, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, wherein a ponytail that originates about the crown of the wearer's head may protrude and or escape the hat by the crown 35 area. As shown, the protruding hair maintains and or creates its own exit, by forcing the upper portion of flap 10 away. The integrity of flap 10 and or the integrity of the formed exit opening is maintained by connecting means 20. As shown, hair protrudes above connecting means 20, which have vertical orientation and spacing between each means 20. As shown in FIGS. 1-12, there is a lower connecting means 20 which is located about the base of the hat and there is an upper connecting means 20 thereabove. It is however within the scope of the invention that connecting means 20 may be randomly or completely disposed about a length of edge 31, for example, so long as there is sufficient room to allow hair to pass therethrough and flap 10 is also be able to cover slit 30.

FIGS. 9 and 10 provide an example of an embodiment of the invention wherein the orientation of connecting means 20 is the same as FIGS. 7 and 8. The embodiment however provides an example which shows how a hairstyle, like a pony tail, may originate in an area such as the lower crown region of a person's head, so that said hair may escape through slit 30 between the area provided by spacing of connecting means 20 when flap 10 is in a closed position.

Flap 10 may be composed of the same material as the hat or it may be any material capable of being connected to the hat by means not limited to sewing, threading, stitching, snap, hook and loop or an adhesive, for example. It is an embodiment of the invention that the flap 10 can originate about the temple or forehead region of the hat, wherein said temple and or forehead region is similar to the location of the temple and or forehead of a wearer when the hat is worn, provided that the flap covers the slit/opening 30 and allows hair or objects attached thereto to pass therethrough.

FIGS. 13 and 14 provide an embodiment according to the instant invention wherein flap 10 may be considered to be segmented into a first flap 40 and second flap 45, which may be complimentary and or interchangeable. As shown, the first flap 40 has a first end 115 releseably connected to the hat at a first area, and a second end integrally connected to the hat at a second area. In the embodiment as shown, the first flap 40 may be considered to be extending from edge 32. The second flap 45 has a first end 125 releseably connected to the hat at a second area, and a first end integrally connected to the hat at a first area. In the embodiment as shown, the second flap is located below the first flap and may be considered to be extending from edge 31. Connecting means 20 are disposed about edge 110 of flap 45 which corresponds to connecting means 20 disposed about the edge 31; and likewise, connecting means 20 are disposed about edge 120 of flap 45 which corresponds to connecting means 20 disposed about edge 32. In the embodiment, the hat provides for a crisscross-like pattern when the flaps are in a closed position as shown.

In view of the several embodiments presented herein, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the Invention. It is intended that such obvious changes and modifications be embraced by the annexed claims.

Claims

1. A hat that comprises:

at least one wall that forms a substantially hollow semioval, that has a closed upper portion to contact a portion of a wearer's head, and an open lower portion that defines a lower edge which substantially surrounds a first opening used to accept a portion of a wearer's head;

a second opening formed on the wall of the that that is shaped and sized to allow for hair, or objects attached thereto, to avoid being contacted by the wall of the hat when the hat is put on a wearer's head; and,

a flap that is sized and shaped to cover a portion of said second opening.

2. The hat according to claim 1 wherein the second opening comprises a slit that originates on the wall of the hat and is defined by a first edge and a second edge that extend from said origin and having lengths l1 and l2 respectively, wherein said edges terminate at the lower edge of the hat forming a part.

3. The hat according to claim 2, wherein the flap, has a first end and a second end defining a width therebetween, and wherein the first end of the flap connects to the wall of said hat at a first area, and the second of the flap connects to the wall of said hat at a second area, wherein a portion of the width substantially covers the slit.

4. The hat according to claim 3, wherein the first end of the flap connects to the wall of said hat by virtue of being integrally formed therein as an extension of the hat itself.

5. The hat according to claim 3, wherein the first end of the flap connects to the wall of said hat by means that include stitching or adhesive.

6. The hat according to claim 3, wherein connection means are disposed about the first end of the flap and about the first area of said hat, wherein said means are complimentary so that said first area and said first end can connect.

7. The hat according to claim 6, wherein connection means consist of means such as hook-and-loop, buttons and holes, snaps, tacks, clasps, and adhesive.

8. The hat according to claim 3, wherein connection means are disposed about the second end of the flap and about a second area of said hat, wherein said means are complimentary so that said second area and said second end can connect.

9. The hat according to claim 3 wherein the first end and the second end of said flap is interchangeable.

10. The hat according to claim 3, whereby the first end of said flap comprises a length that is about l2 and connects to the wall of said hat about the length of said second edge, and whereby the second end of the flap comprises a length that is about l1 and connects to the wall of said hat about the length of said first edge.

11. A hat that comprises:

at least one wall that forms a substantially hollow semioval, that has a closed upper portion to contact a portion of a wearer's head, and an open lower portion that defines a lower edge which substantially surrounds a first opening used to accept a portion of a wearer's head;

a second opening formed on the wall of the that that is shaped and sized to allow for hair, or objects attached thereto, to avoid being contacted by the wall of the hat when the hat is put on a wearer's head;

a first flap that is sized and shaped to cover a first portion of said second opening which is located above a second flap that is sized and shaped to cover a second portion of said second opening.

12. The hat according to claim 11 wherein the first flap and the second flap are complimentary and interchangeable.

13. The hat according to claim 11 wherein the second opening comprises a slit that originates on the wall of the hat and is defined by a first edge and a second edge that extend from said origin and having lengths l1 and l2 respectively, wherein said edges terminate at the lower edge of the hat forming a part.

14. The hat according to claim 13, wherein the first flap, has a first end and a second end defining a width therebetween, and wherein the first end of the first flap connects to the wall of said hat at a first area, and the second of the first flap connects to the wall of said hat at a second area, wherein a portion of the width substantially covers the slit.

15. The hat according to claim 14, wherein the first end of the first flap connects to the wall of said hat by virtue of it being integrally formed therein as an extension of the hat itself.

16. The hat according to claim 14, wherein the first end of the first flap connects to the wall of said hat by means that include stitching or adhesive.

17. The hat according to claim 14, wherein connection means are disposed about the first end of the first flap and about the first area of said hat, wherein said means are complimentary so that said first area and said first end can connect.

18. The hat according to claim 17, wherein connection means consist of means such as hook-and-loop, buttons and holes, snaps, tacks, clasps, and adhesive.

19. The hat according to claim 14, whereby the first end of said flap comprises a length that is less than l2 and connects to the wall of said hat about the length of said second edge, and whereby the second end of the flap comprises a length that is less than l1 and connects to the wall of said hat about the length of said first edge.