Patent Application
20100186147
Hats usually range in sizes. Hats are worn for fashion and for comfort. Sometimes people buy the same type of hat with different size brims. With my invention you can buy one hat and convert it into different sizes. This feature saves the consumer a lot of money. The appearance of the hat may also be altered by attaching a band member around the upper region of the hat (where a band is usually placed) or by attaching an embellishment in the allotted space.
In view of the fact that the prior art is silent on a hat or cap construction that breaks up into different size and style hats or caps. To achieve this and other readily apparent objectives, the present invention essentially discloses a hat construction for enabling a user or wearer to selectively attach a component for improving function and or appearance of the hat construction. The hat construction according to the present invention comprises a hat foundation member and at least one attachable component.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Depending on different configurations, the upper components may vary in shape and size. The zipper portions will have an inner skirt that allows for a smooth operation of the zipper slide and pull half portion attached to the lower peripheral edge of the inner skirt as it engages with a reciprocating zipper post half portion, attached to a top edge or bottom edge or top region of an attachable section or hat foundation.
Attachable components may employ other fastening means, such as snaps, mechanical traditional snaps, buttons, Velcro® Hook and Loop, buckles, linear zippers, linear dual post zippers, and curved zippers.
The-fastening devices may not be concealed. Further, it is noted that such non-concealed fasteners can be attached be being sewn in, glued and punch pressed and by any other means conventionally known to those skilled in the art.
If the demarcation between the foundation hat or upper component is of a curved nature with no sharp corners, a curved zipper such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,484 of Farrell, can optionally be used for attachment. These can be single post on the upper component if it is not reversible. Notably, the upper components may be reversible if the design lends itself to the invention. In this case, it can use a dual post zipper for the reversible component. The curved zipper can be outwardly visible, or it can be covered by an outer flap of any geometric configuration or attached inner skirt.
In a further embodiment, the outer upper component that serves as a trim on the hat or cap is attached to an inner surface of another component located inside the foundation hat or attachable component adjacent to its top edge. This is facilitated by flaps attached to the open edge of the foundation base in which the flaps are pulled upward over the foundation hat edge engaging its inner surface.
A zipper may be sewed into or around the exterior of a foundation hat or cap allowing for an attachable component serving as an embellishment.
Another component used to trim or embellish a foundation may be made as thin as ¼ inch in width attaching at the peripheral edge of an upper and bottom component.
Further, it is noted that all of the embodiments may be made of any material that lends itself to the invention such as felt, leather suede, nylon, spandex, denim, synthetic fibers, knit, waterproof materials, embroidered materials, embossed, materials, stretchy fabrics, satin, patent leather, velvet, PVC, wool, polyester, snake skin, alligator skin, ostrich skin, crocodile skin, pony hair, all furs, goatskin, lambskin, flannel, vinyl, beaded fabric, corduroy, faux leather, pebbled leather, faux skins, monogrammed suede embossed, canvas, plastic coated canvas, silk, quilted materials, shearling, goose down insulations, woven materials, studded fabrics, sequence fabrics. It is also noted that the foundation may be of any size or style hat such as a cloche, beret, skull cap, fedora, cowboy hat, sun hat, ball cap, golf cap, winter hat, summer hat, and a straw hat. The foundation may be made of any material that lends itself to the invention, such as leather, suede denim, weatherproof materials, recycled and organic materials, materials that block the Ultra Violet A rays, sweat wicking fabrics. It is noted that detachable liners for the hat or cap foundations may be incorporated into the design. The liners may be made of silk, satin, fur, faux fur or any other material that lends itself to the invention.
It is appreciated that many different types (i.e. sizes and styles) and the amount of zippers placed on the outside of the hat, or cap foundations to the attachable components will vary and can also be used in accordance with the invention. It is also noted that the zipper slide and pull portions located on the foundations or the attachable components may be in full view or hidden via a flap of material on the foundation hat or attachable components themselves or may be in full view and its function is also an aspect of the design.
It is also noted that the foundation hat or cap components are fully functional by itself. It is also not necessary that the attachments be circumferentially attachable. The upper components may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Dual post curved zippers are optional for reversible components.
While the drawings do not illustrate various examples of flaps or depressions within the hat for upper members, it is noted that trapezoidal curved or straight flaps covering the connection between the attachable sections which may or may not be reversible which without any attachable component is fully functional by itself.
Where a permanently affixed outer flap is provided over a zipper, such as a dual post zipper for reversible and or interchangeable upper such as a regular zipper for non-reversible interchangeable upper, then in such case, the flap itself may be further pulled down to expose an inner skirt having a connection interface at an outer distal end region or edge, to allow better manual access therein and allow for the use of horizontal zippers in instances where the demarcation edge of flaps is other than a horizontal shape (i.e. trapezoid, curve zigzag, wavy, angular, etc.).
It is believed that the advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be apparent that a number of variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly the foregoing description is to be constructed as illustrative only, rather than limiting. This invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.
