Patent Application
20240081456
The present invention relates generally to head coverings, more specifically but not by way of limitation, an attachment for a head covering configured to keep the hair of a user thereof dry while in a pool or body of water or wet conditions, wherein the attachment of the present invention provides a plurality of aesthetic options that are embodied as wigs of any style and length, a hat or any other style of headwear or a combination thereof.
Millions of people regularly patronize salons and similar businesses to purchase various products offered therefrom. Both men and women will spend thousands of dollars per year getting treatments on their hair such as but not limited to hair coloring, bleaching, extensions and perms. These procedures cost a great deal of money and can be sensitive to certain environments or conditions that will result in damage to the hair and result in the partial or complete loss of the treatment that the user paid for to have performed on their hair. By way of example but not limitation, if a user has their hair colored, getting the hair wet in a pool that is chlorinated can have a negative impact on the colored hair. Additionally, other hair product services can be damaged by salt water from the ocean or chlorinated water in a pool.
Utilization of a conventional swim cap has conventionally been deployed in an attempt to keep the hair dry and protect the hair from potential damage. These caps are quite aesthetically displeasing and the use thereof has diminished over the last several decades. For an individual who would like to engage in an activity where their hair can could get wet, many choose to not participate instead of wearing the conventional swim cap. Furthermore, conventional swim caps typically have a seal that does not provide effective waterproofing and many times water will leak into the cap proximate the bottom edge.
Accordingly, there is a need for a head covering that will protect a user's hair from wet environments that includes a first portion configured to be sealably coupled to the head of the user and a second portion wherein the second portion is releasably secured to the first portion and is provided in alternate aesthetic embodiments.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a water-resistant head covering, comprising: an aesthetic headpiece, the aesthetic headpiece sized for a human head and resembling one of: human hair, headwear and a combination thereof; and one or more fasteners, the fasteners operative to removably secure the aesthetic headpiece to the head covering, the fasteners positioned on the aesthetic headpiece such that the aesthetic piece covers the water-resistant head covering when fastened thereto, and wherein the aesthetic headpiece, when fastened, is positioned on the human head to appear similar to the resemblance without the head covering.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment where the fasteners are positioned to engage the head covering in a position at the midpoint of the head covering between the base on the head covering and the crown of the head covering.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment wherein the fasteners are positioned to engage the head covering in a position at the midpoint of the head between the ears and the crown of the head.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment wherein the fasteners comprise one or more of: snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop, magnets, and combinations thereof.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an attachment wherein the aesthetic headpiece may replicate a human hairstyle, may resemble an item of headwear and/or may resemble a combination of a human hairstyle and an item of headwear.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an attachment wherein the aesthetic headpiece is water-resistant and/or is machine washable.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a head covering 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the head covering 100 includes a first portion 10 and a second portion 50. The first portion 10 and second portion 50 are configured to be releasably secured. The second portion 50 is illustrated herein two alternative embodiments but it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the second portion 50 is configured to provided in a plurality of sizes and alternative embodiments in order to provide various aesthetic appearance based on the user's preference.
Referring in particular to
The first portion 10 may further include a second seam 18. The second seam 18 is adjacent to and parallel with the first seam 14 around the entire lower perimeter of the first portion 10. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the second seam 18 is a superabsorbent polymer wherein the second seam 18 is secured to an inner surface of the wall membrane 12 such that the second seam 18 is intermediate the inner surface of the wall membrane 12 and the head of the user. The second seam 18 is present to ensure capture of any liquid that egresses past the first seam 14. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the second seam 18 could be provided in alternate thicknesses, widths and be manufactured from various absorbent materials in order to achieve the objective as discussed herein.
Secured to the outer surface 11 of the first portion 10 is band member 20. Band member 20 is secured to the outer surface 11 of the first portion 10 utilizing suitable techniques such as but not limited to chemical adhesion or mechanical fastening. The band member 20 is manufactured from a durable waterproof material such as but not limited to silicon. Band member 20 is circumferentially secured to the outer surface 11 of the first portion 10 approximately at a midpoint between the upper end 9 at the crown of the head and lower end 8 at the first seam 14, approximately at the level of the base of the ear. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the band member 20 could be provided in alternate positions proximate to the midpoint. The band member 20 includes an upper edge 22 and a lower edge 23 that define the height thereof. The band member 20 has a plurality of fasteners 30 secured thereto. The fasteners 30 are configured to releasably couple to fasteners present on an inner surface of the aesthetic headpiece 50 as is further discussed herein. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the fasteners 30 could be a plurality of alternate types of mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to snaps, hook-and-loop, magnets, buttons or combinations thereof. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the fasteners 30 could be distributed on the band member 20 in various patterns and include alternate quantities thereof. Additionally, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the fasteners 30 could be secured directly to the outer surface 11 of the wall membrane 12 as an alternative to placing the fasteners 30 on the band member 20. While the band member 20 and fastener 30 combination is employed so as to offer greater structural integrity for larger aesthetic headpieces 50, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the fasteners 30 could be secured to the wall membrane 12 in various locations and patterns in order to facilitate releasable securing of the aesthetic headpiece 50.
Submitted herewith in
The position of the aesthetic headpiece 50 is such that first portion 10 is substantially covered and not visible such that the wearer appears to be in hair or headwear, depending on the structure of the aesthetic headpiece 50. The aesthetic headpiece 50 may itself be water resistant as well.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17940409 | Sep 2022 | US |
| Child | 18492753 | US |
