HAT OR CAP WITH UV PROTECTION

Abstract

A method for fabricating a hat or cap by forming a crown; and attaching a brim around said crown; and wherein said brim has at least 30% area with a UV material to block transmission of substantially all UV light.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a horizontally extending brim or visor on hats and caps.

Caps and hats have long been used to protect the head and face from sunlight. However, conventional hats do not provide full visibility. Recently, brims or visors have been incorporated into hats and caps. Again, while shielding the wearer from sunlight, these devices partially block the view of the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a hat with sunlight protection includes a crown and a laterally extending brim surrounding said crown, wherein at least thirty percent of the brim is an ultraviolet (UV) blocking material.

In another aspect, a cap with sunlight protection includes a crown and a laterally extending brim surrounding said crown, wherein at least thirty percent of the brim is an ultraviolet (UV) blocking material.

Implementations of the hat or cap can include one or more of the following. The brim has a surface can be curvy. The brim can be a UV inhibitor. The brim can have a thickness of about 0.020 inch to block sunlight. The crown and brim are formed from said sheet by sewing and/or vacuum forming. The brim can be formed with a textured exterior surface. An anti-glare material can be provided on the brim such as on an interior surface of said brim. A decorative element can be formed on the crown. The decoration can be a ribbon, a patch, a feature, among others. The UV material can be one of: a transparent film, a sheet, a screen, a plastic material, or a polymer material. The brim has a thickness sufficient to block transmission of substantially all UV light, and wherein said hat blocks transmission of substantially all ambient radiation having a wavelength from about 300 nm to about 850 nm. The hat with the brim can be rotatable relative the crown portion thereof.

Advantages of the hat may include one or more of the following. The hat or cap protects the wearer skin and eyes from harmful solar radiation. The brim with a close-fitting wraparound style provide the best protection because they limit how much stray sunlight reaches the eyes from above and beyond the periphery of the eyes. The hat/cap reduces overexposure to UVA radiation which has been linked to the development of certain types of cataracts, and research suggests UVA rays may play a role in development of macular degeneration. The hat/cap with UV brim also reduces UVB rays which are thought to help cause pingueculae and pterygia. These growths on the eye's surface can become unsightly and cause corneal problems as well as distorted vision.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a hat according to the present invention having a crown portion with a brim attached to the crown portion.

FIG. 2 shows a hat where the brim is at least 30% UV material.

FIG. 3 shows a cap where the brim is at least 30% UV material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is shown a hat according to the present invention, generally indicated as reference number 1, comprising a crown portion 20 and a brim 30.

As used herein, the outside of crown portion 20 is the side visible to others when hat 1 is worn on a wearer's head, while the inside of crown portion 20 is the side facing the wearer's head when hat 1 is being worn. The opening of crown portion 20 is defined by a generally horizontal lower periphery 22. Crown portion 20 has a vertical central axis c that extends through the topmost point (i.e., the decorative button) of crown portion 20 and perpendicularly to lower periphery 22. The terms “horizontal” and “vertical,” as used herein, are relative terms connotating a perpendicular relationship, whereby the “horizontal” lower periphery may have any absolute orientation, and the “vertical” central axis will have the correspondingly perpendicular absolute orientation.

Alternatively, the crown portion 20 can have a cylindrical shape or the shape of a band having the lower periphery 22 and an upper periphery 23, whereby the hat has an open top or upper opening and an open bottom or lower opening. With such a configuration, a hat according to the present invention could be classified as a “visor.”

Brim 30 has a proximate portion 32 that, as shown, is either removably or substantially permanently secured to crown portion 20. Preferably, about 30% or more of the hat's brim 30 is made of UV-transparent film, sheet, screen, plastic, or polymer materials. Brim 30 extends substantially horizontally away from crown portion 20, so as to provide shade for the wearer's eyes and face. The purpose for which hat 1 is to be used may dictate varying shapes, lengths and angles with respect to brim 30. Brim 30 may be formed by any appropriate method using any suitable material or materials, for example a fabric material that is stitched to, or contains, a stiffening material, such as cardboard or plastic.

While the thickness of the brim sheet is typically about 0.020 inch, it may be as thin as about 0.012 inch and yet still produce a hat 10 which maintains its shape and completely blocks harmful ultraviolet light including both ambient UVA and UVB radiation.

The wavelength of the UV region which includes UVA and UVB light extends from about 300 nm to about 400 nm. Visible light extends over a wavelength range of about 400 to 700 nm, near infrared extends over about 700 nm to 1700 nm and for infrared from about 1700 nm to about 2600 nm.

UVC rays are the highest-energy UV rays and potentially could be the most harmful to eyes and skin. Fortunately, the atmosphere's ozone layer blocks virtually all UVC rays. But this also means depletion of the ozone layer potentially could allow high-energy UVC rays to reach the earth's surface and cause serious UV-related health problems. UVC rays have wavelengths of 100-280 nanometer (nm).

UVB rays have slightly longer wavelengths (280-315 nm) and lower energy than UVC rays. These rays are filtered partially by the ozone layer, but some still reach the earth's surface. In low doses, UVB radiation stimulates the production of melanin (a skin pigment), causing the skin to darken, creating a suntan. But in higher doses, UVB rays cause sunburn that increases the risk of skin cancer. UVB rays also cause skin discolorations, wrinkles and other signs of premature aging of the skin. UVA rays. These are closer to visible light rays and have lower energy than UVB and UVC rays. But UVA rays can pass through the cornea and reach the lens and retina inside the eye.

FIG. 2 shows a hat where the brim is at least 30% UV material in the shaded region 33, while the rest of the brim 30 can be conventional leather or fabric, for example. As seen in FIG. 2, the UV material preferred for hat 10 effectively blocks all ambient light transmission from about 300 nm to about 850 nm, indicating that the preferred sheet stock PVC material with a thickness as low as 0.012 inch is completely resistant to the transmission of light in the UV region. This provides significant benefits in terms of protecting the skin against the harmful effects of UV light.

As shown in FIG. 3, a crown portion 40 may be constructed using any suitable materials and methods. For example, as shown, crown portion 40 is formed of a plurality of segments sewn together to provide a domed shape adapted to cover the top of a wearer's head. The intersection of the stitching at the uppermost point of the crown portion is usually covered with a decorative button or knob, which may be sewn or stapled thereto. With such a configuration, a hat according to the present invention could be classified as a “baseball cap.”

By comparison, as seen in FIG. 3, a brim 50 has UV blocking material 53 covering at least 30% of the brim. For outdoor sporting, the cap reduces significant levels of UV light transmission throughout substantially the entire UV range. In one embodiment, the brim has a UV inhibitor which protects the brim against deterioration from sunlight.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the crown portion 20 can have decorative elements such as ribbons or flowers, among others. For sport caps shown in FIG. 3, the crown portion 40 can display one decorative symbol, letter, badge, emblem, or combination of letters or words, such as, for example, a patch embodying a logo of a sports team. Crown portion 40 may include several decorative or secondary symbols, letters, badges, emblems, words, and combinations thereof. However, in general, one segment of crown portion 40 will have a primary symbol, letter, badge, emblem, word or combination thereof. The segment of crown portion 40 having this primary decoration P is referred to herein as the front segment or section of the cap. The remaining segments or sections of crown portion 20 are referred to herein as side segments, and may include at least one additional or secondary decorative symbol, letter, badge, emblem or combination of letters, or words such as, for example a patch P′ as shown. Of course, the side segment of crown portion 20 that is diametrically opposite the front segment of the cap is referred to herein as the back of the cap.

Assembly of hat 1 may be accomplished using a method suitable method of construction or manufacture. As stated above, any materials may be used to make hat 1. A representative method of construction may include the following steps: (i) forming crown portion 20 by sewing together six triangular segments of a fabric, such as a heavy-weight cotton canvas, and attaching a decorative button at its top; (ii) forming brim 30 by sewing a fabric covering around a cardboard structure; (iii) attaching to the brim 30 to the crown portion 20.

In use, a wearer places hat 1 upon the wearer's head. Brim 30 will normally extend forwardly of the wearer to provide shade to the wearer's eyes. When it is desired to reorient brim 30, such as when it becomes necessary to prevent the wind from lifting the hat from the head, or such as when it becomes necessary to rapidly look upwardly to follow a bird for example, brim 30 may rapidly be rotated with respect to the wearer's head without removing hat 1.

The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hat, comprising:

a crown; and

a laterally extending brim surrounding said crown, wherein at least thirty percent of the brim is an ultraviolet (UV) blocking material and wherein the UV blocking material is only on the brim and not on the crown.

2. The hat of claim 1, wherein said brim comprises a UV inhibitor.

3. The hat of claim 1, wherein said brim comprises a thickness of about 0.020 inch.

4. The hat of claim 1, wherein said crown and said brim are formed from said sheet by vacuum forming.

5. The hat of claim 1, wherein said crown and said brim are formed with a textured exterior surface.

6. The hat of claim 1, further comprising an anti-glare material provided on said brim.

7. The hat of claim 6, comprising an anti-glare material on an interior surface of said brim.

8. The hat of claim 1, comprising a decorative element on the crown.

9. The hat of claim 1, wherein the UV material comprises one of: a transparent film, a sheet, a screen, a plastic material, or a polymer material.

10. The hat of claim 1, wherein the brim has a thickness sufficient to block transmission of substantially all UV light, and wherein said hat blocks transmission of substantially all ambient radiation having a wavelength from about 300 nm to about 850 nm.

11. A cap, comprising:

a crown; and

a laterally extending brim surrounding said crown, wherein at least thirty percent of the brim is an ultraviolet (UV) blocking material.

12. The cap of claim 11, wherein said brim comprises a UV inhibitor.

13. The cap of claim 11, wherein said brim comprises a thickness of about 0.020 inch.

14. The cap of claim 11, wherein said crown and said brim are formed from said sheet by vacuum forming.

15. The cap of claim 11, wherein said crown and said brim are formed with a textured exterior surface.

16. The cap of claim 11, further comprising an anti-glare material provided on said brim.

17. The cap of claim 11, comprising a decorative element on the crown.

18. The cap of claim 11, wherein the UV material comprises one of: a transparent film, a sheet, a screen, a plastic material, or a polymer material.

19. The cap of claim 11, wherein the brim has a thickness sufficient to block transmission of substantially all UV light, and wherein said hat blocks transmission of substantially all ambient radiation having a wavelength from about 300 nm to about 850 nm.

20. A method of fabricating a hat or cap, comprising:

forming a crown; and

attaching a brim around said crown; and wherein said brim has at least 30% area with a UV material to block transmission of substantially all UV light.