CUSTOMIZABLE ENHANCED HEADGEAR WTH INTERCHANGEABLE REMOVABLE ELEMENTS USING A COUPLING FASTENING MECHANISM

Abstract

In accordance with the invention, an interchangeable headgear device is provided. The headgear may include a headgear apparatus including a crown, a brim and an interior portion. The headgear may further include an attachment. The attachment may include a logo portion and a coupling mechanism. The interior portion may include an inner pocket around a circumference of inner portion. The inner pocket may be formed to securely store one or more attachments. In accordance with the invention, the crown and the brim may include an external surfaced formed entirely of female or loop invaginations. The female/loop invaginations may he formed to removably connect with a logo via the coupling mechanism of the attachment. The coupling mechanism may be formed from a plurality of male or hook projections, which may cause the coupling mechanism to grasp the female/loop invaginations of the external surface of the headgear.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/300,383, filed Feb. 26, 2016 and entitled “Customizable Enhanced Headgear with Interchangeable Removable Elements Using a Coupling Fastening Mechanism,” the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to headgear, and more particularly, to headgear with interchangeable attachments.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Headgear is a common staple in many people's wardrobe. Headgear may be used for functional purposes, such as to maintain warmth, or protect from the sun. In many instances, headgear is also used for aesthetic purposes, such as for fashion, or to show or advertise one's support for their favorite professional or amateur sports team. In other instances, headgear may be worn or purchased as a souvenir from a vacation or memorable occurrence, such as school memorabilia, or for any other of a myriad number of causes or reasons. Common hats, such as a caps (colloquially referred to sometimes as “baseball caps”), may contain a design or insignia formed on an exterior surface of the cap crown. In many instances, the design is a logo or character, and may be used to indicate support for an alma mater, sports team, or cause, or as a souvenir from a memorable trip.

In some instances, individuals may desire to indicate support for multiple causes or teams, but may be limited due to each cause being formed with its logo on its own individual headgear. In other instances, a person may be going on a trip, and may be confined to taking only one hat. However, for various reasons, the person may wish to have the capability of displaying various logos or pictorials on the hat throughout the trip.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a hat that allows a person to customize the displayed logo or pictorial. It would be further desirable to provide a hat that allows a person to interchange the various logos or insignias of different causes at any point, when so desired. It would be yet further desirable to allow for customizing the number of logos or designs displayed on a hat, without regard to orientation, number of logos or designs, or commonality between them.

In accordance with the invention as set forth below, a hat with customizable, interchangeable and removable logos, designs or insignias is therefore provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an interchangeable headgear device is provided. The headgear may include a headgear apparatus including a crown, a brim and an interior portion. The headgear may further include an attachment. The attachment may include a logo portion and a coupling mechanism. The interior portion may include an inner pocket around a circumference of inner portion. The inner pocket may be formed to securely store one or more attachments.

In accordance with the invention, the crown and the brim may include an external surfaced formed entirely of female or loop invaginations. The female/loop invaginations may be formed to removably connect with a logo via the coupling mechanism of the attachment. The coupling mechanism may be formed from a plurality of male or hook projections, which may cause the coupling mechanism to grasp the female/loop invaginations of the external surface of the headgear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate exemplary headgear in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5A-5B illustrate exemplary headgear with attachments in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a profile view of an attachment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary male/hook projections in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary female/loop invaginations in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate exemplary fastening systems in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate exemplary embodiments of attachments secured to headgear, in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate an exemplary view of the headgear in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary attachment in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate an exemplary view of the attachment fastening to the headgear in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate an exemplary view of the attachment fastening to the headgear in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 16 and 17A-17B illustrate an exemplary inner pocket in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 18-19 illustrate exemplary three-dimensional attachments in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 20 illustrates another exemplary view of headgear in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as disclosed herein, is directed to headwear or headgear (referred to collectively as “headwear” or “hats” or “headgear”) with interchangeable attachments.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an exemplary embodiment of headwear 100 in accordance with the invention. The headwear may include any suitable headgear, such as, but not limited to, a hat, cap, headband, helmet, or hood.

Headwear 100 includes crown 110 and brim 120. In one embodiment crown 110 and brim 120 may be formed of a unitary construction, such that their materials are identical. In another embodiment, crown 110 and brim 120 are formed separately, and are attached via any suitable mechanism, including, but not limited to, glue, adhesive, tape sewing, tying, threading, or any other suitable fastener. In yet another embodiment, crown 110 and brim 120 are separately formed, but are formed from identical materials, and are attached via any suitable mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 2, crown 110 may be formed, or may be subdivided into, one or panels, such as panels 110a and 110b. The panels may be patterned into the crown 110, or may be manufactured separately and then joined via any suitable method. The panels may be of any suitable number, such as five panels, as shown in FIG. 3.

Headgear 100 may include one or more removable element or attachments 430. The attachment 430 may include a logo, patch, badge, pattern, graphic, letter, design, tag, pictorial illustration, decoration or any other suitable attachment. For example, the attachment 430 may be a logo, such as a sports team logo, that a user desires to wear on a hat. In another example, the attachment 430 may be a graphic illustrating an attraction that the user has visited, such as a waterfall. As disclosed herein, headgear 100 may include either a singular or plurality of inventions. It should be noted that the invention contemplates the use of either a singular attachment or multiple attachments. For example, a user may desire to include one large attachment 430, or numerous small attachments 430, on the crown 120.

The attachments 430 may be formed in any suitable manner, from any suitable material, including plastic, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, linen or microfiber. The attachments 430 may be formed via sewing or laser printing, or any other suitable method. The attachments 430 may be formed in any suitable size. For example, a user may attach one 4 inch×6 inch attachment to the front of the headgear 100. In another example, the user may attach five different 1 inch×1 inch attachments 430 at various points along headgear 100. The attachment 430 may be formed of fabric, embroidered fabric, rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl siloxane, metal alloys, plastic, or any suitable material. The attachment 430 may include designs, patches, insignias, characters, letters, various shapes, including, but not limited to, triangle, rectangle, circle, oval, square, hexagon, octagon, pentagon, or any other suitable shape.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate various layouts of attachments 430 as attached to headgear 100. Referring to FIG. 5A, the attachments 430 may be placed in varying locations on crown 110, in different shapes and sizes. In FIG. 5B, due to the brim 120 being formed of the same material as crown 110, illustrated is an attachment 430 placed on the brim.

Using specific materials and/or a specific binding method, the headgear 100 allows for interchangeable attachments 430 to be removably attached at any point on the headgear. Thus, whereas conventional hats provide for patches attached at fixed points during the manufacturing process, the inventive headgear 100 allows for a user to not only customize their attachments 430 after purchasing the hat, but also allows the user to remove attachments 430 with ease, as well as attach new attachments as desired.

In accordance with the invention, the headgear 100 may be formed using a process for suitably connecting and disconnecting the attachment 430 from the brim 120 and/or crown of the headgear 100.

Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an exemplary embodiment of the attachment 430. Formed in this manner, attachment 430 easily attaches and detaches to and from the brim 120 and/or crown 110. Attachment 430 is formed of a logo or illustrative portion 640, and a coupling member 650. Coupling member 650 may be affixed to logo portion 640 by any suitable method, such as by bonding or sewing.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism 650 may be formed with a suitable backing, such as one manufactured by VELCRO®. For example, Velcro HTH 833 in Nylon, with hook style #29, may be used, or any suitable variant thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, the coupling mechanism 650 may be designed for low profile knit and non-woven loops. In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling mechanism 650 may include any suitable number of hooks 760 per square inch, such as, for example, 1700 hook per square inch. In another exemplary embodiment, the hooks 760 may be of any suitable height, such as, for example, 0.02 inches.

In an embodiment, the coupling mechanism 650 may be sewn to the underside of the logo portion 640. This may provide maximum resiliency, as well as water-proofing. In another embodiment, the coupling mechanism 650 may be adhesively attached, as a backing, to the logo portion 640. The adhesive backing may be formed of a rubber base or an acrylic base.

In one embodiment, the hooks 760, formed as the coupling mechanism 650, may be formed in a vertical position or orientation on the back of the logo portion 640, in order to maximize retention on the headgear 100. The attachment 430 should 430 may be thin, pliable, bendable or otherwise maneuverable in order to conform to the shape of any suitable headgear, thereby lying flush with the surface of the headgear.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, coupling member 650 (also referred to as “coupling mechanism”) is formed of a male/hook projection 760. Referring to FIG. 8, illustrative female/loop invagination 865 is formed to mate with male/hook projection 760, forming a fastener system.

In accordance with the invention, crown 110 of headgear 100 may be formed of female/loop invagination 865. That is, invagination 865 is not formed or affixed to an overlayed crown layer, but instead, forms the actual crown layer 110, providing for a built-in fastener system.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fastener system may alternatively include female/loop invagination 865 as the basis of the crown layer 110, while male/hook projection 760 forms coupling member 650.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary view of the fastening system utilized to mate headgear 100 with an attachment. On the left side, a strip of hook/male projections 760 are shown. The hook projections, as described, form a coupling member 650, and along with a logo 640, form the attachment 430.

On the right side, illustrated is a strip of female/loop invaginations 865. The female/loop invaginations may be formed at any suitable location on the headgear 100, including on the crown 110 and brim 120 (including on the underside of the brim). In an exemplary embodiment, the female/loop invaginations 865 mate with the hook/male projections 760.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary close-up view of the mating of the female/loop invaginations 865 with the hook/male projections 760.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, attachments 430, utilizing the exemplary mating system, are coupled to the crown 110 or brim 120 at any suitable location. In an embodiment, as shown, the entirety of the exterior surface of the headgear 100 is covered with a fabric, such as a polyester blend fabric. The polyester blend fabric may be substantially similar or equivalent to female/loop invaginations 865, and may include some or all of the same features. The covering may be of either a hook or loop design. The polyester fabric may include a plurality of invaginations, providing for the coupling of the coupling member 650, affixed to attachment 430. The invaginations may be substantially similar or equivalent to hook/male projections 760, and may include some or all of the same features. Thus, the polyester fabric formed on the surface of the headgear 100 allows for receiving, via the invaginations, a coupling of the projections of the coupling material formed on attachment 430. This provides for a bond that is strong, and will not cause pilling upon disengagement of the invaginations from the projections, allowing for numerous coupling and de-coupling occurrences.

FIG. 12A illustrates an exemplary view of an illustrative hat, such as headgear 100. The entirety of the hat's exterior shell, or outside, is formed of female/loop invaginations 865. This includes crown 110 and brim 120. FIG. 12B illustrates a close-up of the plurality of female/loop invaginations 865 forming the hat's exterior. It should be noted that, in accordance with the invention, the invaginations formed on the hat's exterior are not placed over an already existing exterior-instead, the hat's exterior is formed with the invagination material.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary view of an attachment 430. As shown, the front attachment 430 contains a logo portion 640, which is displayed externally-facing on headgear 100. Thus, the invention allows for a consumer to purchase multiple attachments 430, in any suitable shape, form, color or other customization. That is, the user may customize the headgear 100 with any desired attachment, so long as the attachment contains a logo portion 640, and a coupling member 650.

Coupling member 650, illustrated in FIG. 13B, is formed from male/hook projections 760, and allows for the logo portion 640 to be successfully displayed on headgear 100. That is, the male/hook projections 760 allow the attachment 430, and in particular, the logo portion, to successfully mate with the headgear 100.

In an embodiment, the logo portion 640 may be bonded onto a sheet of hooks (such as, for example, hook & loop sheets produced by VELCRO®). In yet another embodiment, the logo 640 may be directly embroidered onto a sheet of hooks.

FIG. 14A illustrates a side of the attachment 430, prior to mating with the surface of the headgear 100. As shown in FIG. 14B, which represents a zoomed-in view of attachment 430 as it engages the headgear 100, the hook and loops engage one another to fasten the attachment to the headgear.

In one embodiment, the headgear may be formed of flexible projections that couple with exterior polyester surface of headgear 100. Thus, male/hook projections 760 may form the coupling member 650 of the attachment 430, and couple, via the projections, to female/loop invaginations 865 located on the brim 120 or crown 110 of headgear 100. The attachment 430 is flush with the undersurface of the male/hook projections of the coupling member 650, such that when applied to headgear 100 the attachment 430 and its logo portion 640 are caused lay flush with the headgear 100.

In one embodiment, the material forming headgear 100 may be flame retardant.

Referring now to FIG. 15A, illustrated is a side perspective view of the attachment 430 in the process of attachment to the headgear 100. As shown in FIG. 15B, attachment 430 is laid against the surface of headgear 100. In one embodiment, FIG. 15B shows the attachment 430 as partially removed. In another embodiment, FIG. 15B illustrates the attachment 430 in the process of being applied to the headgear 100.

In accordance with the invention, multiple attachments 430, in any suitable size, format, or orientation, may be selected and utilized on headgear 100. The attachments 430 may bind to any location on the headgear 100, due to the unique coupling system disclosed herein.

Further, the headgear 100 allows the user to select multiple attachments 430 to fulfill various customization requirements, instead of purchasing new hats for each customized option. While this reduces the need for multiple hats, it may increase the total number of desired attachments 540.

As shown in FIG. 16, the headgear 100 in accordance with the invention may therefore include an inner pocket 1670 located within the inside portion 1680 of headgear 100. The inner pocket 1670 may be formed from one pocket. The one pocket may proceed around the entirety of the inner perimeter of the inside portion 1680. In an embodiment, the inside portion 1680 may be formed from a plurality of inner pockets 1670, which may be located around the inner diameter of inside portion 1680.

FIG. 17A illustrates several attachments residing within the inner pocket 1670. In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 17B, the inner pocket 1670 is formed as a single pocket that does not proceed around the entire perimeter.

The inner pocket 1670 is configured to hold and store a plurality of attachments 430. Thus, attachments that are not currently in use on the exterior of headgear 100 may be stored within the interior of the headgear, so that they may be easily removed and attached when needed.

Inside portion 1680 and/or inner pocket 1670 may be formed of polyester material. In one embodiment, the interior of inner pocket 1670 may be formed female/loop invaginations 865. The female/loop invaginations 865 may therefore engage the male/hook projections 760 on the backside of attachment 430, keeping the attachment 430 securely engaged within the inner pocket 1670.

FIGS. 18-19 illustrate various additional attachments that may be utilized in accordance with various embodiments. Due to the nature of the exterior of the headgear 100, any suitable attachment may be mated to the headgear. Thus, any attachment may be formed with male/hook projections 760 and mated to the headgear. FIG. 18 therefore illustrates a set of decorative horns that are removably connected in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 19 illustrates a decorative attachment that may be removably connected in accordance with another embodiment, due to the decorative attachment including the male/hook projections 760.

FIG. 20 illustrates another embodiment of headgear, such as a winter hat, beanie or toque, in accordance with the invention.

In an embodiment, the headgear 100 may include an external pattern, formed using the invaginations, in an east/west orientation. In another embodiment, the headgear 100 may include an external pattern, formed using the invaginations, in a criss-cross pattern. These patterns may provide sufficient surface area for retain attachments 430 for longer duration and increased retention, due to the corrugated texture.

Thus, headgear with removable and interchangeable attachments is provided. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. An interchangeable headgear device, comprising: wherein said interior portion includes an inner pocket around an inner circumference of the inner portion, the inner pocket formed to securely store one or more attachments.

a headgear apparatus comprising a crown, a brim and an interior portion, and

an attachment, the attachment comprising a logo portion and a coupling mechanism;

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the crown and brim are formed of unitary construction.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the crown and brim comprise an external surface, the external surface, the external surface formed entirely of female/loop invaginations.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the female/loop invaginations are formed to removably connect with the attachment, via the attachment coupling mechanism.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the coupling mechanism is formed from a plurality of male/hook projections, such that coupling mechanism grasps, via the male/hook projections, the female/loop invaginations of the headgear, forming a removable connection.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner pocket includes an interior, the interior of the inner pocket formed of female/loop invaginations.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the inner pocket includes an attachment stored in the inner pocket.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the male/hook projections of the attachment stored in the inner pocket are formed to removably grasp the female/loop invaginations in the inner pocket interior, and wherein said grasp provides for a secure stored location for the attachments.

9. An interchangeable headgear device, comprising:

headgear comprising a crown and a brim, said crown and brim formed of female/hook invaginations on the exterior, wherein the crown and the brim are formed of unitary construction; and

an attachment removably connected to the headgear, the attachment comprising a logo portion and a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism formed of a plurality of male/hook projections.

10. The device of claim 9, the headgear device further comprising an interior portion, said interior portion including an inner pocket.

11. The device of claim 9, the headgear device further comprising an interior portion, said interior portion including a plurality of inner pockets.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the inner pockets are formed to securely store one or more attachments.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the inner pockets include an interior formed from a plurality of female/loop invaginations, the female/loop invaginations formed to grasp the male/hook projection of the coupling mechanism on the attachment.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the attachments are formed in any suitable shape or size.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the attachments are formed in a three-dimensional shape.

16. An interchangeable headgear device, comprising:

headgear comprising a crown and a brim, said crown and brim including an external pattern, wherein the crown and the brim are formed of unitary construction; and

an attachment removably connected to the headgear, the attachment comprising a logo portion and a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism formed of a plurality of male/hook projections.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the external pattern is formed in an east/west orientation.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the external pattern is formed in a criss-cross orientation.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the external pattern provides a corrugated texture, the corrugated texture formed to provide increased grasping abilities.