A device for providing protection against minor head injury and for stabilizing a hat is provided. The device moves from a generally flat first orientation into a domed-shaped second orientation. In the second orientation, the device is placed under the underside of a hat and supports the hat in an upright position. The device may be placed under a hat for protection and/or to store the hat in an upright position for display and to reduce the sagging of the hat over time. Further, the device may be placed under a hat and the hat worn. The device has a plurality of radially extending arms extending from a center portion. The perimeter surface of the device may be partially inserted within a groove of the hat so as to allow the device to remain secured within the hat. The device is also suitable for providing some protection against head injury when the device is properly worn under a hat.
Liners for hats have been invented in the past. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,395 to Nebeker discloses a disposable liner which is fitted against the inside surface of a sweatband of a cap or hat. The liner functions to absorb moisture and oils, and to eliminate odor. The liner wicks moisture away from a user and may hold moisture away from the hat. The liner may wick moisture to an evaporation region to be evaporated. The evaporation region may be separated from the hat by a cover layer to prevent wicking into the crown of the hat. The liner may be configured to adjust the size, and thus the fit of the hat on the head of the user. To secure a hat on the head of a user, the liner may include a compressible, foamed, polymeric core. The core may be treated with an antibacterial agent and a deodorizing agent for eliminating odors. To one side of the core is attached an adhesive layer for securing the same to the sweatband of the hat. The adhesive is selected for firmness yet easy removal and disposal of the liner. The adhesive may be heat-sensitive. Multiple layers of foamed polymeric substrates coated on two sides with adhesive may be adhered to one another for sizing a hat. The other side of the core is bonded to a fabric layer positionable against the forehead of a user. The fabric layer may be formed to have an absorbent layer, and may include a non-absorbent outer layer that transfers moisture but remains dry to the touch.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,095 to Fleury discloses an inexpensive, disposable liner for hard hats. The liner is shaped to be inserted into and resiliently engage the lower periphery of a hard hat. The liner includes an elastic band attached to the lower edge of the liner so that the liner can be slipped over the beak and the interior support of the hard hat. The liner is preferably made of a soft, breathable material which will prevent the buildup of moisture, and which will feel comfortable to the user. The sides of the liner are elongated so that the liner can be folded over the lower periphery of the hard hat. The elastic band attached to the lower edge of the liner allows the liner to be easily installed into and removed from the hard hat.
Still further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,668 to Bogan discloses a liner for a hat, cap or similar head covering having a layer of moisture absorbent material which is backed by a layer of moisture impervious material. Further, adhesive means are provided for releasably securing the liner to the sweatband of the hat, cap or similar headgear. The bottom and side edges of the moisture absorbing layer are sealed to prevent the migration of moisture, oil, grease and other contaminants through these edges of the liner. The upper edge of the liner is left unsealed so that a wicking action encourages the transport of moisture from the body of the moisture absorbing layer to the top edge where it may be evaporated.
However, these patents fail to describe a device for protecting against minor head injury and for stabilizing a hat in which the device moves from a first orientation into a second orientation and which is easy to use. Further, these patents fail to provide for a device for protecting against minor head injury and for stabilizing a hat which allows a hat to be displayed without the hat sagging.
A device for providing protection against minor head injury and for stabilizing a hat is provided. The device moves from a generally flat first orientation into a domed-shaped second orientation. In the second orientation, the device is placed under the underside of a hat and supports the hat in an upright position. The device may be placed under a hat for protection and/or to store the hat in an upright position for display and to reduce the sagging of the hat over time. Further, the device may be placed under a hat and the hat worn. The device has a plurality of radially extending arms extending from a center portion. The perimeter surface of the device may be partially inserted within a groove of the hat so as to allow the device to remain secured within the hat. The device is also suitable for providing some protection against head injury when the device is properly worn under a hat.
An advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the present device may provide some protection against an injury which might otherwise be sustained if the user is not wearing the device.
And another advantage of the present device is that, in an embodiment, the present device may be waterproof.
Yet another advantage of the present device is that the present device may be suitable for providing some protection to children and adults from head collisions obtained by participating in light contact sports.
Still another advantage of the present device is that the present device may be suitable for providing some protection to the head of the person wearing the device during a fall.
And another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the device allows a hat to be displayed in an upright position when the hat is not worn.
Still another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the device may be reused on numerous hats.
Another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the device may be used in a manner so as to allow a user to wear a hat which is larger than the wear's normal hat size.
Yet another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the present device may be used to prevent sagging of the hat so as to prolong the life of the hat.
Still another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the device may be used in connection with various sized hats.
And another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the present device may be stored and transported in a generally flat orientation and only converted into the second orientation just prior to use.
Another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the present device is easy to clean.
Yet another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the present device is comfortable to wear under a hat.
Still another advantage of the present device for stabilizing a hat is that the present device has a hole for allowing the device to be hung from a wall or from a sales rack when not in use.
And another advantage of the present device is that the present device has a plurality of holes for allowing air to circulate to the head of a wear therein preventing over-heating.
Yet another advantage of the present device is that the present device makes larger hats and helmets fit better when worn by a child or adult.
Still another advantage of the present device is that the present device provides a barrier between a person's head and, for example, a rental helmet, therein increasing sanitation.
For a more complete understanding of the above listed features and advantages of the device for stabilizing a hat reference should be made to the detailed description and the drawings. Further, additional features and advantages of the invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
A device for providing protection against minor head injury and for stabilizing a hat is provided. The device moves from a generally flat first orientation into a domed-shaped second orientation. In the second orientation, the device is placed under the underside of a hat and supports the hat in an upright position. The device may be placed under a hat for protection and/or to store the hat in an upright position for display and to reduce the sagging of the hat over time. Further, the device may be placed under a hat and the hat worn. The device has a plurality of radially extending arms extending from a center portion. The perimeter surface of the device may be partially inserted within a groove of the hat so as to allow the device to remain secured within the hat. The device is also suitable for providing some protection against head injury when the device is properly worn under a hat.
Referring first to
In an embodiment, the device 1 may have a top 2, a bottom 3 (
Each of the outwardly extending arms 11 may have a first end 12 (
In an embodiment, an opening 25 may be located on at least one of the outwardly extending arms 11. The opening 25 may be a generally circular hole extending from the top 2 to the bottom 3 of the device 1 and may allow the device 1 to hang from a hook or the like when the device 1 is not in use. In addition, in an embodiment, a plurality of openings 25 may be located on the outwardly extending main arms 11. The opening 25 (and any additional openings provided on the extending arms 11) may be further used provide ventilation to the person wearing the device 1 so as to decrease the trapping of heat which may otherwise be uncomfortable.
In an embodiment, each of the outwardly extending main arms 11 may be roughly triangular in shape (having curved edges). The base of the triangular shape may be located at the second end 13 of the outwardly extending main arms 11 so that the first end 12 (the end connected to the center ring portion 10) is thinner than the second end 13. In an embodiment, the second end 13 of each of the outwardly extending main arms 11 may have a length 18 (
In an embodiment, some of the outwardly extending main arms 11 may have a generally oval extension 30 located at a side 11B (
In an embodiment, the device 1 may move from a generally flat orientation (
In an embodiment, the diameter 20 of the device 1 may be greater than a diameter 25 (
In an embodiment, the width 8 of the device 1 may be, for example, between a quarter inch and an inch and a half. It should be understood that this width 8 may vary a great deal depending on the desired application for the device 1. The width 8 should be great enough so as to be firm enough to support the underside 51 of the hat 50, but not too great wherein it becomes difficult to move the device 1 into the domed-shaped orientation. Further, the width 8 may be narrow enough so that a person may wear the hat 50 even when the device 1 is secured to the underside 51 of the hat 50.
In an embodiment, a portion of the second side 13 of the outwardly extending arms 11 may be partially secured within the underside rim 75 (
As stated above, in an embodiment, the device 1 may be constructed of foam, cardboard or the like. As a result, a user may cut and or trim a portion of the second end 13 of the outwardly extending arms 11 to shorten the device 1 to form a smaller hat 50. As such, the device 1 may be altered to be suitable to fit almost any hat 50 including a hat 50 of a child. In particular, a perforation line 38 (
In another embodiment, the top 2 of the device 1 may have a temporary adhesive 44 (
Referring now to
In an alternative embodiment, a perforation line 66 (
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the top 2 and/or bottom 3 of the device 1 may have a plurality of elongated ridges 390 (
Finally, referring now to
Although embodiments of the invention are shown and described therein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.
The following application is based on and claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/985,594 filed Apr. 29, 2014; the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3153792 | Marietta | Oct 1964 | A |
5647064 | Whittaker | Jul 1997 | A |
20070163031 | Lewis, Jr. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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EP 0613625 | Sep 1994 | IT |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20150305423 A1 | Oct 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61985594 | Apr 2014 | US |