ROTATING HEADWEAR ORNAMENT

Abstract

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a rotating headwear ornament is provided that may include a housing having a motor disposed therein. The motor may include a drive shaft configured for rotation and extending from the housing, a clip configured to secure the housing to a headwear. The clip may include an opening configured to allow passage of the drive shaft through the clip, a platform configured for operative engagement with the drive shaft, and a stalk eccentrically operatively connected to the platform at one end of the stalk, and configured for connection to an ornament at the other end of the stalk.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 63/647,181 filed May 14, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a rotating headwear ornament, and more particularly to a decorative element configured for attachment to headwear and configured to revolve around the headwear, such as a hat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a rotating headwear ornament is provided that may include a housing having a motor disposed therein, wherein the motor comprises a drive shaft configured for rotation and extending from the housing, a clip configured to secure the housing to a headwear, wherein the clip comprises an opening configured to allow passage of the drive shaft through the clip, a platform configured for operative engagement with the drive shaft, and a stalk eccentrically operatively connected to the platform at one end of the stalk, and configured for connection to an ornament at the other end of the stalk.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the housing comprises a cover and a body, wherein the cover comprises a hole configured to allow passage of the drive shaft through the cover, and at least one aperture configured for releasable engagement with the clip, wherein the body is configured for retention of the motor within the housing.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the clip comprises at least one post configured for releasable engagement with the housing.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the stalk is comprised of a flexible resilient material.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the ornament may have an appearance of one or more of an insect, a flower, a message, a slogan, a salutation, an image, a star, a rainbow or a combination thereof.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the rotating headwear ornament may also include one or more pads positioned on a surface of the housing opposite the surface from which the drive shaft extends.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the rotating headwear ornament may also include at least one channel configured to retain a power supply within the housing, and at least one electrical contact configured to electrically couple the power supply to the motor.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the stalk is electrically coupled to the power supply, and the stalk may be comprised of an electrically conductive material.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the housing may include at least one aperture configured for releasable engagement with the at least one post of the clip.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the clip may include at least one post configured for releasable engagement with the at least one aperture of the cover of the housing.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the rotating headwear ornament may also include a counter-weight operatively coupled to the platform.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the clip may be eye-shaped.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the clip may be round.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the stalk may be comprised of a filament.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the ornament may be electrically coupled to the power supply.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the ornament may be configured for 360 degree rotation about the headwear.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the headwear may be a hat.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the drive shaft may be configured to cause rotation of the platform within a first plane, and the ornament may be configured for movement within the first plane or a second plane at least substantially parallel to the first plane and a third plane at least substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, rotation of the drive shaft may be transferred to rotation of the platform.

According to this and other exemplary aspects of the present invention, the housing may be positioned within an interior region of the headwear, and the clip, the platform and the stalk may be positioned on an exterior portion of the headwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view an exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament attached to an exemplary headwear according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament attached to an exemplary headwear according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament attached to an exemplary headwear according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament attached to an exemplary headwear according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top plan partial view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan partial view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 from FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective partial view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front partial view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a right side partial view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a partial exploded view of the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of an exemplary ornament for use with the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of an exemplary clip for use with the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the exemplary clip for use with the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the exemplary clip for use with the exemplary rotating headwear ornament according to an aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 from FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, 8A, 9, 9A and 10-21, therein illustrated is an exemplary embodiment of a rotating headwear ornament, generally indicated by reference number 10, according to an aspect of the present invention. The rotating headwear ornament 10 may include a housing 12 having a motor 14 disposed within the housing 12. The motor 14 may include a drive shaft 16, and the motor 14 is configured to cause rotation of the drive shaft 16 about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 16. The housing 12 may include a cover 18 and a body 20, and the cover 18 may be removably affixed to the body 20 by one or more fasteners, for example screws, and/or the cover 18 and the body 20 may be snap-fit together. The body 20 is configured to retain the motor 14 within the housing 12 and inhibit movement of the motor 14 within the housing 12. The cover 18 may include a hole 22 formed therein, through which hole 22 the drive shaft 16 of the motor 14 may pass through so that the drive shaft 16 extends from the housing 12. The rotating headwear ornament 10 may also include a platform 24 configured for operative engagement with the drive shaft 16 so that rotation of the drive shaft 16 causes rotation of the platform 24. The rotating headwear ornament 10 may further include a stalk 26 eccentrically operatively connected to the platform 24 so that rotational movement of the platform 24 is transferred to the stalk 26. The stalk 26 may be formed of a flexible but resilient filament, and one end of the stalk 26 may be connected to the platform 24, and the other end of the stalk 26 may be connected to an ornament 28, for example a butterfly, or other insect, such as a dragonfly, bee, ladybug, firefly, or the like. The ornament 28 may also take the form of a phrase, salutation, word, greeting, slogan, message or the like. The ornament 28 may also be a design, such as a flower, star, rainbow, or the like, or a logo or other image. The stalk 26 may be formed from an electrically conductive material such that power from the housing 12 may be transferred to the ornament 28, for example if the ornament 28 includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) (not shown), for example, the ornament 28 may be a firefly with a light-up body portion (not shown). The eccentric positioning of the stalk 26 on the platform 24 allows the ornament 28 to revolve around the housing 12 when the platform 24 is rotated by the drive shaft 16 of the motor 14. In this manner, the ornament 28 may travel a substantially circular path 360 degrees around the housing 12, but due to the eccentric positioning of the stalk 26 and flexible, resilient nature of the stalk 26, the ornament 28 may also have movement in other directions along an axis that may be substantially perpendicular to the substantially circular path, for example, by providing a fluttering effect to the ornament 28. The rotating headwear ornament 10 may also include a counter-weight 30 attached to the platform 24 so that rotation of the platform 24 is smooth. The rotating headwear ornament 10 may further include a clip 32 configured to removably secure the rotating headwear ornament 10 to a headwear, for example, a hat 34. The clip 32 may be eye-shaped, see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 9, or round, see, e.g., FIGS. 8A, 9A and 10. The clip 32 may include an opening 36 configured to allow passage of the drive shaft 16 through the clip 32, so that the drive shaft 16 may operatively engage with the platform 24. The clip 32 may also include at least one post 38, where each post 38 is configured for releasable engagement with a corresponding aperture 40 formed in the cover 18 of the housing 12. In this manner, the clip 32 may be positioned on the outside of the hat 34, and the posts 38 are inserted through the hat 34 to engage with the apertures 40 on the cover 18 of the housing 12 positioned in the interior of the hat 34. As a result of the sandwich arrangement of the clip 32 and the housing 12 on either sides of the hat 34, the rotating headwear ornament 10 may be secured to the hat 34. The rotating headwear ornament 10 may also include one or more pads 42 positioned on a side of the housing 12 opposite the side of the housing 12 from which the draft shaft 16 extends. The pads 42 may be made from a cushioning material, for example, foam, so as to provide padding between the housing 12 and the head of a wearer of the hat 34 having the rotating headwear ornament 10 disposed thereon. The rotating headwear ornament 10 may also include one or more channels 44 formed in the housing 12 for receipt of one or more power supplies, for example batteries (not shown), to supply power to the rotating headwear ornament 10 for operation of the motor 14. One or more electrical contacts 46 may be disposed in the one or more channels 44 to provide electrical connection between the motor 14 and/or a printed circuit board 48. A switch 50, which may be operatable by a button 52 may be positioned in electrical contact between the power supply and motor 14 in order to allow control of operation of the motor 14. The housing 12 may further include a removable access door 54 to allow access to the one or more channels 44 for replacement of the power supplies, i.e., batteries (not shown). It is understood that the rotating headwear ornament 10 and components thereof may be made of any suitable material.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of this invention, it is intended that all matter contained in this disclosure or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted, as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is to be understood that all of the present figures, and the accompanying narrative discussions of corresponding embodiments, do not purport to be completely rigorous treatments of the invention under consideration. It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rotating headwear ornament, comprising:

a housing having a motor disposed therein, wherein the motor comprises a drive shaft configured for rotation and extending from the housing;

a clip configured to secure the housing to a headwear, wherein the clip comprises an opening configured to allow passage of the drive shaft through the clip;

a platform configured for operative engagement with the drive shaft; and

a stalk eccentrically operatively connected to the platform at one end of the stalk, and configured for connection to an ornament at the other end of the stalk.

2. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cover and a body, wherein the cover comprises a hole configured to allow passage of the drive shaft through the cover, and at least one aperture configured for releasable engagement with the clip, wherein the body is configured for retention of the motor within the housing.

3. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the clip comprises at least one post configured for releasable engagement with the housing.

4. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the stalk is comprised of a flexible resilient material.

5. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the ornament may have an appearance of one or more of an insect, a flower, a message, a slogan, a salutation, an image, a star, a rainbow or a combination thereof.

6. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, further comprising one or more pads positioned on a surface of the housing opposite the surface from which the drive shaft extends.

7. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, further comprising at least one channel configured to retain a power supply within the housing, and at least one electrical contact configured to electrically couple the power supply to the motor.

8. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 7, wherein the stalk is electrically coupled to the power supply, and the stalk is comprised of an electrically conductive material.

9. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 3, wherein the housing comprises at least one aperture configured for releasable engagement with the at least one post of the clip.

10. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 2, wherein the clip comprises at least one post configured for releasable engagement with the at least one aperture of the cover of the housing.

11. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, further comprising a counter-weight operatively coupled to the platform.

12. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the clip is eye-shaped.

13. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the clip is round.

14. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the stalk is comprised of a filament.

15. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 8, wherein the ornament is electrically coupled to the power supply.

16. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the ornament is configured for 360 degree rotation about the headwear.

17. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the headwear comprises a hat.

18. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is configured to cause rotation of the platform within a first plane, and the ornament is configured for movement within the first plane or a second plane at least substantially parallel to the first plane and a third plane at least substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

19. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the drive shaft is transferred to rotation of the platform.

20. The rotating headwear ornament according to claim 1, wherein the housing is positioned within an interior region of the headwear, and the clip, the platform and the stalk are positioned on an exterior portion of the headwear.