Patent Grant
11357278
The present invention relates to headwear. The invention concerns, more particularly, headwear, such as a visor, baseball cap, athletic cap or formal hat, having a hair compression system and an adjustment system for compressing and securing one or more sections of a wearer's hair.
In today's society, feeling and looking good are important parts of human culture. As a part of this pursuit, fitness is one important aspect of the lives of individuals. Equally important to physical exercise is an outward fashion appearance, which has given rise to the popularity of fitness apparel or “athleisure.” This fitness apparel allows for enhanced performance benefits and comfort while keeping a user aesthetically pleasing. Fitness fashion, however, has not properly adapted to maintaining the hair of a user during fitness activities or casual wear. In many cases, an individual must choose between their physical fitness or hair appearance.
Currently, the fitness industry offers fitness coverings such as hats, visors, and headbands that allow for sun protection and moisture wicking properties. These offerings may also include an additional fashion benefit in that they are visually appealing. In some instances, hats, visors, and headbands may contain a sweatband to capture and dispel sweat. These advantages are beneficial, but do not protect the appearance of the hair of a user or protect the hair from physical damage. Indeed, under typical circumstances, the end result to a user's hair is a disheveled or messy hair appearance commonly referred to as “hat hair.”
In contrast, if protecting the hair is of import, head coverings such as head wraps, scarves, head coverings, durags, and bandanas may be utilized. However, they do not offer the benefit of shading, weather protection, moisture wicking capabilities or fashion-forward advantages of a fitness covering. Because of these limitations, in many cases, head coverings are utilized along with a fitness covering. In these instances, the wearer often experiences increased heat from the combination of the two products, which results in increased perspiration, which damages hair thus eliminating any benefit brought on by the combination of the head covering and fitness covering.
Even outside of the fitness aspect, the intersection of fashion and hair care are often at odds. When wearing a dress hat, e.g., fedora, homburg, bowler, cowboy, cloche, flapper, knit hat, or beanie, the hair is often disheveled upon removal of the hat. This creates a problem when, for example, a wearer must remove the fashion accessory at a formal event, work, or other occasion. The resulting disheveled hair is often at odds with an otherwise well-kept appearance. While the use of a head covering may also be utilized with a dress hat, added heat and bulk create unwanted consequences such as increased heat and/or perspiration, which may distort a hair style or damage hair.
Several other applicants have filed for patent protection over a liner for reducing moisture in fitness coverings by employing a liner into headwear. Such disclosures include U.S. Patent Publication Numbers 2007/0006364 to Brewer; 2010/0107307 to Lee; and 2020/0046053 to Weems. These publications seek to prevent or minimize sweat. None of the foregoing publications, however, address the problems overcome by the present invention.
In most instances, however, headwear innovation focuses on sizing or fit of the headwear. Specifically, the sizing of headwear improves either in an adjustable manner or of fixed sizing to secure fit of the hat to a wearer's head. For example, when considering an adjustable fit, a common style of adjustment system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,772 to Hahn. In Hahn, a rear portion of the baseball cap includes a cut-out area having two overlapping straps that extend from opposite sides of the cut-out area. One of the straps includes a plurality of protrusions and the other strap includes a plurality of corresponding apertures. By varying the protrusions that are received by specific apertures, the circumference of the baseball cap is adjusted, thus tightening the hat. There are also fixed hats that provide for an adjustment system. In these instances, U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,742 to Cunliffe; U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,213 to Whang; U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,644 to Higgs; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,173 to Turner each disclose adjustable baseball caps that incorporate a stretchable material to accommodate the head size of a wearer. Each of these patents disclose varying the bottom of the crown to vary the effective diameter of a headband in the crown, thus tightening the cap. None of the foregoing patents, however, address the problems overcome by the present invention.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention and is not intended to be limiting in scope nor exhaustive in breadth. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention; its sole purpose is to present concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is subsequently presented.
The present invention is an article of headwear that incorporates a hair compression system for smoothly compressing the hair of a wearer while wearing the headwear to prevent the disheveling or tangling of the wearer's hair. The compression system may compress along a periphery, middle and/or vertical plane of the head of a wearer. In one embodiment, the compression system is primarily formed of a first stretchable material around the circumference of a wearer's head attached to the inside of the headwear and extends around an interior circumference of the headwear. The first stretchable material is attached to the headwear in a manner to allow the first stretchable material to directly contact the hair and be compressed around the circumference of the hair to a tightness specifically selected by the wearer to keep the hair in place without tightening the headwear. In another embodiment, the compression system also includes a second stretchable material that is attached to the headwear in a manner to allow the second stretchable material to directly contact the hair and be compressed around the side of the scalp to a tightness specifically selected by the wearer to keep the hair in place without tightening the headwear. In yet another embodiment, the compression system also includes a third stretchable material that is attached to the headwear in a manner to allow the third stretchable material to directly contact the hair and be compressed about a vertical portion, e.g., over the top of the head, of the hair of a wearer to a tightness specifically selected by the wearer to keep the hair compressed without tightening the headwear.
The compression system is attached to an adjustment system, which allows the user to selectively tighten the first stretchable material, second stretchable material and/or third stretchable material of the compression system. The adjustment system may be made up of a stretchable elastic that pulls the ends of the first stretchable material, second stretchable material and/or third stretchable material of the compression system together to allow the user to selectively tighten the compression system. The headwear may be a visor hat that includes the compression system on the inside of at least a portion of the visor. In another embodiment, the headwear is a baseball-style cap. The crown of the cap is formed of a plurality of sides, with the compression system being affixed to at least one of the sides of the crown. The compression system may be attached to the headwear using a guide. The headwear may also include dress hats.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the invention is an article of headwear capable of compressing at least a portion of the head of a wearer. Specifically, the headwear comprises a crown, a compression system that is capable of smoothly compressing at least a portion of the head of the wearer, and where the compression system comprises a first stretchable material. The headwear also includes an adjustment system for adjusting the compression system. The article of headwear may include a first stretchable material that compresses in a direction of the circumference of the headwear. The first stretchable material of the article of headwear may be a textile. The adjustment system of the article of headwear may comprise a fastening means and a tightening means. The article of headwear of may also incorporate a sweatband that can be attached to the crown of the headwear and the compression system. For example, the crown may be position between the crown and the compression system so that the sweat from the head of a wearer is dispelled through the compression system and onto the sweatband. This also increases the likelihood that the sweat will be trapped on the sweatband and not transferred to the outer surface of the crown, which may cause sweat stains. The use of a sweatband may also reduce the transfer of sweat back to the compression system and/or the hair of a wearer. The compression system of the article of headwear of the present invention may further comprise a second stretchable material. The compression system of the article of headwear of the present invention may further comprise a third stretchable material. The compression system of the article of headwear of the present invention may further comprise a second stretchable material and a third stretchable material.
In further embodiments, the present invention may be a cap capable of compressing at least a portion of the head of a wearer. The cap of the present invention may comprise a compression system for compressing at least a portion of the head of the wearer. The compression system may also comprise a first stretchable material and a second stretchable material. The cap of the present invention may also include an adjustment system attached to the compression system. The first stretchable material of the compression system may stretch in direction of a circumference of the cap. The compression system of the cap may also include a second stretchable material that stretches in a direction diagonal around sides of the head of the wearer. The adjustment system of the cap may comprise a fastening means. The adjustment system may further comprise a tightening means.
In still other embodiments, a cap is contemplated that is capable of being selectively compressed by a wearer around head of the wearer. The cap comprises a compression system for compressing at least a portion of the head of the wearer. The compression system comprises a first stretchable material. The cap also includes an adjustment system attached to the compression system, wherein the adjustment system comprises a fastening means and a tightening means. The adjustment system of the cap allows the wearer to selectively tighten the compression system to compress at least a portion of the hair, head or scalp of the wearer. The compression system of the cap may further comprise a second stretchable material and/or a third stretchable material. The adjustment system of the cap may comprise a fastening means and/or a tightening means. The cap of the present invention may also include a sweatband.
The advantages and features of novelty characterizing the present invention are pointed out-with particularity in the appended claims. Further features of the present invention will be apparent from the description that follows. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying drawings that describe and illustrate various embodiments and concepts related to the invention. After review, such features may, in part, be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The foregoing Summary of the Invention, as well as the following Detailed Description of the Invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Having generally summarized the invention disclosure above, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific examples illustrated below which are provided for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be all inclusive or limiting unless otherwise specified. Accordingly, term or phrases such as “for example” or “e.g.” and the like, even if they are not coupled with a modifier such as “without limitation” or the like, are not intended to be limiting of the disclosure of the invention.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments and examples of the present invention. The particular components and amounts thereof recited in these examples, as well as other conditions and details, should not be construed to unduly limit this invention.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose an article of headwear 10 with a crown 20 and a brim 30 and include a compression system 40a-c and an adjustment system 50 in accordance with the present invention. Headwear 10 is disclosed as having the structure of a visor or baseball-style cap. The concepts and features of headwear 10 that are disclosed in the following discussion may, however, be applied to a wide range of headwear types, including a bonnet, knit hat, boater, beret, cowboy hat, fedora, fez, panama, sombrero, southwester, homburg, bowler, cloche, flapper or beanie, for example. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to visors and baseball-style caps, but may be applied to a wide range of headwear.
Headwear 10 is depicted in
Crown 20 includes a plurality of sides that are typically attached together along abutting sides or assembled in one or more pieces. As depicted in
The compression system 40a-c will now be discussed in greater detail. The compression system 40a-c is attached on an interior surface 23 of the crown 20. The compression system 40a-c can be made of any textile or fabric capable of restraining and smoothing hair. The compression system 40a-c is a stretchable material. As utilized herein, the term stretchable material refers to a material property rather than a particular type of material. More specifically, the material property is the ability to substantially return to an original size and shape following a deformation. After being stretched to a reasonable degree, therefore, the compression system 40a-c is capable of substantially returning to an unstretched configuration. The compression system 40a-c can comprise a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, or a blend thereof. The compression system 40a-c may be made of any material with the ability to substantially return to an original size and shape following a deformation. In addition, in order to enhance the air permeability and overall comfort of the compression system 40a-c, it may be made of a single or blend of elastic, high-performance material, spandex, nylon, microfiber, cotton, polyester, silk, satin, or other similar fabric and may also include a textile that incorporates elastomeric fibers, such as elastane, which is manufactured under the LYCRA™ trademark by E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company.
In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises spandex. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises a spandex blend. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises a polyester/spandex blend. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises nylon. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 75% or less of spandex (e.g., 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 35% or less, 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 5% or greater of spandex (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, 40% or greater, 50% or greater, or 60% or greater). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 90% or less of nylon (e.g., 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 35% or less, 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 5% or greater of nylon (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, 40% or greater, 50% or greater, 60% or greater, 65% or greater, 70% or greater, 75% or greater, 80% or greater, or 85% or greater). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 40% or less of polyester (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 5% or greater of polyester (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 40% or less of silk (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 5% or greater of silk (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 40% or less of satin (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 5% or greater of satin (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 40% or less of LYCRA™ (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises 5% or greater of LYCRA™ (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater). In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises a polyester/LYCRA™ blend. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises a polyester/satin blend. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises a polyester/silk blend. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises a silk/satin blend. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises modal, rayon, and spandex. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises cotton. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises a cotton blend. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c comprises microfiber.
The compression system 40a-c can be made, for instance, by circular knitting, warp knitting, or any weaving or knitting technique known in the art. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c has varied properties. The compression system 40a-c can be attached to the crown 20 of the headwear 10 by any means capable of attaching fabric layers together. In some embodiments, the compression system 40a-c is attached to the crown 20 of the headwear 10 by sewing, adhering, zipping, buttoning, snapping, heat sealing, welding, gluing, bonding, laser cutting, and combinations thereof.
The compression system 40a-c may include a first stretchable material 40a, a second stretchable material 40b and/or a third stretchable material 40c that are incorporated into the crown 20 of the headwear 10. The first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and the third stretchable material 40c may be any stretchable material with the ability to substantially return to an original size and shape following a deformation. Accordingly, sheets of elastomeric polymer materials are suitable. In order to enhance the air permeability and overall comfort of the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and the third stretchable material 40c, may be made of a single or blends of elastic, high-performance, microfiber, cotton, polyester, silk, satin, or other similar fabric. Specifically, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and the third stretchable material 40c can be made of any material identified above for the compression system 40a-c.
In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise spandex. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise a spandex blend. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise a polyester/spandex blend. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise nylon.
In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 75% or less of spandex (e.g., 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 35% or less, 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 5% or greater of spandex (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, 40% or greater, 50% or greater, or 60% or greater). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 90% or less of nylon (e.g., 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 35% or less, 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 5% or greater of nylon (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, 40% or greater, 50% or greater, 60% or greater, 65% or greater, 70% or greater, 75% or greater, 80% or greater, or 85% or greater). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 40% or less of polyester (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 5% or greater of polyester (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 40% or less of silk (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 5% or greater of silk (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 40% or less of satin (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 5% or greater of satin (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 40% or less of LYCRA™ (e.g., 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, or 10% or less). In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise 5% or greater of LYCRA™ (e.g., 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, or 35% or greater).
In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise a polyester/LYCRA™ blend. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise a polyester/satin blend. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise a polyester/silk blend. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise a silk/satin blend. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise modal, rayon, and spandex. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise cotton. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise a cotton blend. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c comprise microfiber. The first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and the third stretchable material 40c can be made, for instance, by circular knitting, warp knitting, or any weaving or knitting technique known in the art. In some embodiments, the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and the third stretchable material 40c have varied properties.
The first stretchable material 40a will now be discussed in greater detail. Referring to
The first stretchable material 40a of the compression system 40a-c is attached to the interior surface 23 of the front side 21a of the crown 20. The first stretchable material 40a may be attached horizontally at one or more points along the interior surface 23 of the front side 21a of the crown 20. The first stretchable material 40a may be attached at a bottom portion, a middle portion or a top portion of the interior surface 23 of a front side 21a of the crown 20. Preferably, the first stretchable material 40a is attached along the lowest edge of the interior surface 23 of the front side 21a of the crown 20 near the brim 30. The first stretchable material 40a may also be attached vertically to the interior surface 23 of the front side 21a of the crown 20 at one or more location in order to secure the first stretchable material 40a to the headwear 10. The first stretchable material 40a may be attached to the left side 21b and the right side 21c of the interior surface 23 of the headwear 10. The first stretchable material 40a may be continuously attached or partially attached to the left side 21b and the right side 21c or only partially attached to the left side 21b and the right side 21c. The first stretchable material 40a may also be attached at one or more points to the left side 21b and one or more points to the right side 21c of the interior surface 23 of the headwear 10. For example, in one embodiment, the first stretchable material 40a may be attached to a portion of the left side 21b near the rear side 21d and the right side 21c near the rear side 21d. A person of ordinary skill in the art can determine whether the first stretchable material 40a needs to be attached to the left side 21b or the right side 21c based on the type of headwear 10. The first stretchable material 40a may follow along the left side 21b and the right side 21c of the headwear 10 using a guide 25.
In another embodiment, the first stretchable material 40a is inserted into a guide 25, which directs the first stretchable material 40a towards the rear side 21d along the left side 21b and into a guide 25, which directs the first stretchable material 40a along the right side 21c of the headwear 10. The guide 25 may be made of any material identified above for making the compression system 40a-c. If a guide 25 is used in an embodiment, the first stretchable material 40a enters the guide 25 along the left side 21b and a guide 25 along the right side 21c and exits the guide 25 at a rear portion of the headwear 10 before the rear side 21d. In another embodiment, the first stretchable material 40a enters the guide 25 along the left side 21b and a guide 25 along the right side 21c and exists the guide 25 on the rear side 21d. Depending on the headwear 10, the first stretchable material 40a may be attached to the left side 21b near the rear side 21d, even if a guide 25 is used. In yet another embodiment, a more than one guide 25 may be used along a side 21a-d of the headwear 10 to direct the first stretchable material 40a along the interior surface 23 of the crown 20. The present invention may also use one or more guide 25 on the front side 21a and/or the rear side 21d of the headwear 10.
The second stretchable material 40b will now be discussed in greater detail. The compression system 40a-c may also include a second stretchable material 40b. The second stretchable material 40b may be one continuous piece or two or more pieces functioning as a uniform material. The second stretchable material 40b is adjacent to the first stretchable material 40a and runs along a middle portion of the left side 21b and a middle portion of the right side 21c of the crown 20. The second stretchable material 40b may be connected, completely or partially to the first stretchable material 40a, but connection is not required. The second stretchable material 40b can be attached to the first stretchable material 40a by any means capable of attaching fabric layers together. The second stretchable material 40b can range in width starting from the front side 21a of the crown 20 of from about 0.5 cm to about 20 cm. Preferably, the width of the second stretchable material 40b ranges from about 2 cm to about 10 cm. More preferably, the width of the second stretchable material 40b ranges from about 5 cm to about 8 cm. The increased width of the second stretchable material 40b allows increased surface area to contact with the hair in order to compress the hair while wearing the headwear 10. The second stretchable material 40b can range in length around the crown 20 of from about 5 cm to about 70 cm or more. Preferably, the length of the second stretchable material 40b is within a range of from about 10 cm to about 50 cm. More preferably, the length of the second stretchable material 40b is within a range of from about 15 cm to about 25 cm. The length of the second stretchable material 40b may vary to accommodate the specific type or size of headwear 10. Depending on the headwear 10, the width of the second stretchable material 40b may stay uniform throughout. Alternatively, the width of the second stretchable material 40b may fluctuate in along the length of the headwear 10.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the second stretchable material 40b is inserted into a guide 25, which directs the second stretchable material 40b towards the rear side 21d along the left side 21b of the headwear 10 and a guide 25, which directs the second stretchable material 40b towards the rear side 21d along the left side 21b of the headwear 10. If a guide 25 is used in an embodiment, the second stretchable material 40b enters the guide 25 along the left side 21b and a guide 25 along the right side 21c and exits the guide 25 before the rear side 21d. In another embodiment, the second stretchable material 40b enters the guide 25 along the left side 21b and a guide 25 along the right side 21c and exits the guide 25 on the rear side 21d. The present invention may also use one or more guide 25 on the front side 21a or the rear side 21d of the headwear 10. Depending on the headwear 10, the second stretchable material 40b may be attached to the left side 21b near the rear side 21d, even if a guide 25 is used.
The third stretchable material 40c will now be discussed in greater detail. The compression system 40 may also include a third stretchable material 40c. The third stretchable material 40c may be one continuous piece or two or more pieces functioning as a uniform piece. The third stretchable material 40c is preferably a singular piece. The third stretchable material 40c covers the scalp along a vertical portion of the headwear 10 and stretches from the front side 21a of the crown 20 to the rear side 21d. Referring to
The third stretchable material 40c runs along a vertical portion of the crown 20 up the front side 21a of the interior surface 23 of the headwear 10 towards the rear side 21d. The third stretchable material 40c can range in length starting from the front side 21a of the crown 20 to the rear side 21d of from about 5 cm to about 100 cm. Preferably, the third stretchable material 40c ranges from about 15 cm to about 50 cm. More preferably, the third stretchable material 40c ranges from about 20 cm to about 30 cm. The third stretchable material 40c can range in width starting from the left side 21b of the crown 20 to the right side 21c of from about 5 cm to about 60 cm. Preferably, the third stretchable material 40c ranges from about 15 cm to about 40 cm. More preferably, the third stretchable material 40c ranges from about 20 cm to about 30 cm. The increased size of the third stretchable material 40c allows increased surface area to contact with the hair of a wearer in order to compress the hair while wearing the headwear 10. Depending on the headwear 10, the size of the third stretchable material 40c may stay uniform throughout. Alternatively, the size of the third stretchable material 40c may vary in size to accommodate the headwear 10.
The third stretchable material 40c of the compression system 40a-c is attached to the interior surface 23 of the front side 21a of the crown 20. The third stretchable material 40c may be attached horizontally at one or more points along the interior surface 23 of the front side 21a of the crown 20. The third stretchable material 40c may be attached at a bottom portion, a middle portion or a top portion of the interior surface 23 of a front side 21a of the crown 20. Preferably, the third stretchable material 40c is attached along the middle portion of the interior surface 23 of the front side 21a of the crown 20. The third stretchable material 40c may also be attached vertically to the interior surface 23 of the front side 21a of the crown 20 at one or more locations in order to secure the third stretchable material 40c to the headwear 10. The third stretchable material 40c may be attached to the left side 21b and the right side 21c of the interior surface 23 of the headwear 10 along the top portion of the left side 21b and the top portion of the right side 21c of the crown 20. The third stretchable material 40c may be continuously attached or partially attached to the left side 21b and the right side 21c or only partially attached to the left side 21b and the right side 21c. The third stretchable material 40c may also be attached at one or more points to the left side 21b and one or more points to the right side 21c of the interior surface 23 of the headwear 10. For example, in one embodiment, the third stretchable material 40c may be attached to a portion of the left side 21b near the rear side 21d and the right side 21c near the rear side 21d. In another embodiment, the third stretchable material 40c may be attached to the top of the crown 20. The third stretchable material 40c may be continuously attached or partially attached to the crown 20. The third stretchable material 40c may also be attached at one or more points within the interior surface 23 of the crown 20 of the headwear 10, such as on the rear side 21d. A person of ordinary skill in the art can determine whether the third stretchable material 40c needs to be attached to the crown 20. The third stretchable material 40c may follow along the left side 21b, the right side 21c and/or the crown 20 of the headwear 10 using a guide 25. In one embodiment, the third stretchable material 40c is inserted into at least one guide 25, which directs the third stretchable material 40c towards the rear side 21d along the top of the headwear 10. As described herein, the guide 25 may be made of similar material as the compression system 40a-c.
The adjustment system 50 will now be discussed in greater detail. The compression system 40a-c of the present invention is attached to an adjustment system 50. The adjustment system 50 allows a wearer of the headwear 10 to selectively tighten the compression system 40a-c to achieve a desired compression of one or more portions of the wearer's hair. Specifically, the adjustment system 50 is designed to allow a wearer to tighten the first stretchable material 40a, the second stretchable material 40b and/or the third stretchable material 40c of the compression system 40a-c. The adjustment system 50 of the present invention is made up of one or more tightening means 52 and one or more fastening means 51. The tightening means 52 may include one or more straps, preferably made of stretchable material such as an elastic, high-performance material, microfiber, cotton, polyester, silk, satin, velvet, or other fabric.
The tightening means 52 is attached to the compression system 40a-c. The tightening means 52 may be an extension of the compression system 40a-c and designed in such a way as to allow the user to pull the tightening means 52 to adjust the compression system 40a-c. In another embodiment, the tightening means 52 may be attached to the compression system 40a-c such as through stitching, gluing, molding or other attachment method known in the art. The tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50 is secured using a fastening means 51 and may be secured to the headwear 10 using a connector 53. The fastening means 51 allows the tightening means 52 to be connected, adjusted and/or secured to a connector 53 by a wearer. The fastening means 52 may include one or more fasteners known in the art such as buckles with eyelets, VELCRO®, plastic snap adjusters, luggage buckles, sliding snaps, button fasteners, or elastic.
Referring to
The elements of headwear 10 discussed above may be assembled through various methods of manufacture. Sample methods will be discussed below to provide a greater understanding regarding the structure of headwear 10, the compression system 40a-c, and the adjustment system 50. The exterior surface 22 of the headwear 10 is assembled according to conventional methods known in the art. The interior surface 23 of the headwear 10 is assembled to incorporate the compression system 40a-c. In one embodiment, with reference to
The first stretchable material 40a is inserted into a guide 25 on the left side 21b and a guide 25 on the right side 21c. The at least one guide 25 is attached to the headwear 10 along the lower portion of the interior surface 23 and along the top of the visor headwear 10. In this embodiment, the guide 25 is made of a stretchable satin, spandex and polyester blend material. The first stretchable material 40a exits the guide 25 at the beginning of a rear side 21d of the headwear 10. In the case of a visor, there are two rear sides 21d of the headwear 10. Therefore, the first stretchable material 40a that is attached to the left side 21b of the headwear 10 and is inserted into a guide 25 on the left side 21b, and exits the guide 25 on a left rear side 21d of the headwear 10. Similarly, the first stretchable material 40a that is attached to the right side 21c of the headwear 10 and is inserted into a guide 25 on the right side 21c, and exits the guide 25 on a right rear side 21d of the headwear 10. The size of the first stretchable material 40a exiting the guide 25 declines to about 50% of the width of the visor headwear 10 to approximately within a range of about 2 cm to about 3 cm.
On the rear side 21d of the headwear 10, the first stretchable material 40a is attached to an adjustment system 50. Specifically, the first stretchable material 40a is looped into a fastening means 51 of the adjustment system 50, which includes a loop system on opposite sides of a buckle-style fastener. The buckle-style fastener may be unsnapped or disconnected, separating the buckle-style fastener into two separate pieces. The first stretchable material 40a that is on the left rear side 21b of the headwear 10 is attached to a loop on the left side 21b of the headwear 10. Similarly, the first stretchable material 40a that is on the right rear side 21d of the headwear 10 is attached to a loop on the right side 21c of the headwear 10. After exiting the loop, the first stretchable material 40a is attached to a tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50. The underside of the tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50 is comprised of a VELCRO® connector 53. Once the buckle-style fastener of the fastening means 51 is snapped, a user is able to pull the tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50, which tightens the first stretchable material 40a of the compression system 40a-c over the hair of a wearer. The tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50 may be pulled by a user and fastened to a counterpart VELCRO® connector 53 on the exterior surface 22 of the right side 21c of the headwear 10 and the left side 21b on the exterior surface 22 of the headwear 10 as depicted in
In alternate embodiments, the fastening means 51 to the adjustment system 50 includes a tightening means 52 on only one side, such as on the right side 21c of the exterior surface 22 of the headwear 10 as depicted in
In another embodiment, the headwear 10 includes a first stretchable material 40a and a second stretchable material 40b as depicted in
On the rear side 21d of the headwear 10, the second stretchable material 40b is attached to the first stretchable material 40a to overlap and then the first stretchable material 40a and the second stretchable material 40b are attached to an adjustment system 50. Specifically, the first stretchable material 40a and second stretchable material 40b are looped into a fastening means 51 of the adjustment system 50, which includes a loop system on two sides of a buckle-style fastener as discussed above. The first stretchable material 40a and second stretchable material 40b on the left rear side 21d of the headwear 10 are attached to a loop on the left side 21b of the headwear 10. Similarly, the first stretchable material 40a and second stretchable material 40b that are on the right side 21c of the headwear 10 are attached to a loop on the right side 21c of the headwear 10. After exiting the loop, the first stretchable material 40a and second stretchable material 40b are attached to a tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50. The underside of the tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50 is comprised of a VELCRO® connector 53. Once the buckle-style fastener of the fastening means 51 is snapped, a user is able to pull the tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50, which tightens the first stretchable material 40a and second stretchable material 40b of the compression system 40a-c over the hair of a wearer. The tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50 may be pulled by a user and fastened to a counterpart VELCRO® connector 53 on the exterior surface 22 of the right side 21c of the headwear 10 and the left side 21b of the headwear 10 as depicted in
In another embodiment, the headwear 10 includes a first stretchable material 40a and a third stretchable material 40c. With reference to
On the rear side 21d of the headwear 10, the third stretchable material 40c is attached to the first stretchable material 40a to overlap and is then attached to an adjustment system 50. Specifically, the first stretchable material 40a is looped into a fastening means 51 of the adjustment system 50, which includes a loop system on three sides of a buckle-style fastener. The third stretchable material 40c is into the top of the fastening means 51 of the adjustment system 50, which also includes a loop system on the top side of the buckle-style fastener. The buckle may be unsnapped or disconnected, separating the buckle-style fastener into two separate pieces. The top loop for the third stretchable material 40c may be on either side of the separated buckle-style fastener. After exiting the loop, the first stretchable material 40a and third stretchable material 40c are attached to a tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50. The underside of the tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50 is comprised of a VELCRO® connector 53. Once the buckle of the fastening means 51 is snapped, a user is able to pull the tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50, which tightens the first stretchable material 40a and the third stretchable material 40c of the compression system 40a-c over the hair of a wearer. The tightening means 52 of the adjustment system 50 may be pulled by a user and fastened to a counterpart VELCRO® connector 53 located on the exterior surface 22 of the right side 21c of the headwear 10, the left side 21b of the headwear 10, and on the top of the crown 20 as depicted in
The specific embodiments of headwear 10, as disclosed above, may include various modifications within the scope of the present invention. For example, a sweatband, may be incorporated into the crown 20 between the crown 20 and the compression system 40a-c. The sweatband may be attached to the crown 20 and compression system 40a-c, which provides support for sweatband. Headwear 10 often includes a brim 30 as depicted in
The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, while various embodiments and examples of this invention have been described above, these descriptions are given for purposes of illustration and explanation, and not limitation. Variations, changes, modifications, and departures from the systems, apparatus and methods disclosed above may be adopted without departure from the spirit and scope of this invention. Moreover, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions may be made to the foregoing description of preferred embodiments and examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the various patent offices and the public generally, and especially practitioners in the art such as officers and those who manage, supervise, purchase and/or evaluate technology for or on behalf of agencies or departments employing or relying on the same, but who may not be familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
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