Patent Application
20230303004
This invention relates to hat mounts. More particularly, it relates to a hat mount for car interiors.
A dashboard (also called dash, instrument panel (IP), or fascia) is a control panel set within the central console of a vehicle. Usually located directly ahead of the driver, it displays instrumentation and controls for the vehicle's operation. The top of the dashboard is flat and smooth in texture.
Originally, the word dashboard applied to a barrier of wood or leather fixed at the front of a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh to protect the driver from mud or other debris “dashed up” (thrown up) by the horses' hooves. The first known use of the term (hyphenated as dash-board, and applied to sleighs) dates from 1847. Commonly these boards did not perform any additional function other than providing a convenient handhold for ascending into the driver's seat, or a small clip with which to secure the reins when not in use.
When the first “horseless carriages” were constructed in the late 19th century, with engines mounted beneath the driver such as the Daimler Stahlradwagen, the simple dashboard was retained to protect occupants from debris thrown up by the cars' front wheels. However, as car design evolved to position the motor in front of the driver, the dashboard became a panel that protected vehicle occupants from the heat and oil of the engine. With gradually increasing mechanical complexity, this panel formed a convenient location for the placement of gauges and minor controls, and from this evolved the modern instrument panel, although retaining its archaic common name.
Where the dashboard originally included an array of simple controls (e.g., the steering wheel) and instrumentation to show speed, fuel level and oil pressure, the modern dashboard may accommodate a broad array of gauges, and controls as well as information, climate control and entertainment systems.
Contemporary dashboards may include the speedometer, tachometer, odometer, engine coolant temperature gauge, and fuel gauge, turn indicators, gearshift position indicator, seat belt warning light, parking-brake warning light, and engine-malfunction lights. Other features may include a gauge for alternator voltage, indicators for low fuel, low oil pressure, low tire pressure and faults in the airbag (SRS) systems, glove compartment, ashtray and a cigarette lighter or power outlet—as well as heating and ventilation systems, lighting controls, safety systems, entertainment equipment and information systems, e.g., navigation systems.
Due to the flat, smooth top of a dashboard it is unsafe to place any object, specifically a hat on top of the dashboard while a vehicle is in motion. Flying objects from dashboards in moving vehicles cause many accidents a year and are unsafe for objects to rest on the dashboard.
Accordingly, and in light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to have an apparatus which is placed on top of a dashboard in a fixed manner allowing hats to rest on and be secured. The device would keep hats or other objects secured with this apparatus from flying around when a vehicle is in motion.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
The following disclosure is provided to describe various embodiments of a hat mount 10. The hat mount 10 is configured to secure any sized hat H in place on a dashboard 51 of an interior compartment 55 of a vehicle 50. In a preferred embodiment, the hat mount 10 is manufactured out of solid silicone. In other embodiments, the hat mount 10 includes a silicone base. The hat mount 10 is envisioned to be securely placed on the dashboard 51 without damaging the vehicle 50. Although the exemplary embodiment illustrates and describes the hat mount 10 to be used on a dashboard 51 of a vehicle 50 such as a car or truck, it is appreciated that the hat mount 10 can be used on any surface within the vehicle 50, or indeed within a vehicle 50 other than a car or truck, such as a speedboat or aircraft.
Skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments and uses of the present invention that extend beyond the examples of this disclosure. Terms included by any claim that may be presented in any yet-to-be-filed non-provisional patent application are to be interpreted as defined within this disclosure. Singular forms should be read to contemplate and disclose plural alternatives. Similarly, plural forms should be read to contemplate and disclose singular alternatives. Conjunctions should be read as inclusive except where stated otherwise.
Expressions such as “at least one (1) of A, B, and C” should be read to permit any of A, B, or C singularly or in combination with the remaining elements. Additionally, such groups may include multiple instances of one (1) or more element in that group, which may be included with other elements of the group. All numbers, measurements, and values are given as approximations unless expressly stated otherwise.
Various aspects of the present disclosure will now be described in detail, without limitation. Skilled readers should not view the inclusion of any alternative labels as limiting in any way. Referring now to
In operation, as shown in
While various aspects of the present invention have been described in the above disclosure, the description of this disclosure is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional aspects of the invention, which may be realized in alternative embodiments, after having the benefit of the above disclosure. Other aspects, advantages, embodiments, and modifications are within the scope of the claims.
