Patent Application
20250127252
The present invention relates to hats. In particular, examples of the present invention relate to a hat with a two part elastic sizing band with snaps to provide for sizing adjustments in the hat in addition to elastomeric stretching of the band to accommodate in-between sizes and a user's desire for a tension fit of the hat.
Many people desire to wear hats with adjustable sizing because of the style and appearance of the hat as well as the ability to accommodate different hairstyles, etc. Adjustable hat sizing is beneficial because it allows manufactures to make a single hat that is adjustable to achieve a number of distinct sizes. This reduces manufacturing and inventory costs while accommodating many customers.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, the drawings have been drawn to scale. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various examples of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.
It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The examples shown each accomplish various different advantages. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element or advantage in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the examples in greater clarity. Similarly, not every example need accomplish all advantages of the present disclosure.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, such feature, structure, or characteristic may be used in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. The particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combination and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. It is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art.
As used herein, “adjacent” refers to near or close sufficient to achieve a desired effect. Although direct contact is common, adjacent can broadly allow for spaced apart features. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” and, “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be such as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is “substantially free of” particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is no measurable effect thereof.
As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a number or numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be one or two significant digits above or one or two significant digits below the number or endpoint.
As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.
Dimensions, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values encompassed within that range as if each numerical value is explicitly recited.
Turning now to
The back of the hat 10 includes an adjustment opening 48 and snap back adjustment straps 50 and 54 to provide size adjustment and accommodate various persons wearing the hat 10. The adjustment straps include a first, inner adjustment strap 50 and a second, outer adjustment strap 54. The inner adjustment strap 50 is fastened to the lower hat band near the hat lower edge 30 and at one side of the adjustment opening 48 so that the adjustment strap 50 extends across part of the adjustment opening 48. The inner adjustment strap 50 includes a plurality of posts 58 which extend outwardly from the outward face of the strap 50. The outer adjustment strap 54 is fastened to the lower hat band near the hat lower edge 30 and at the other side of the adjustment opening 48 so that the adjustment strap 54 extends across part of the adjustment opening 48. The outer adjustment strap 54 includes a series of holes 62 which receive the posts 58. The inner adjustment strap 50 and the outer adjustment strap 54 overlap each other and the outer adjustment strap 54 extends across the outside face of the inner adjustment strap 50. The first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 are exposed as they extend across the adjustment opening 48. The posts 58 of the inner adjustment strap are pressed through the holes 62 in the outer adjustment strap 54 to thereby attach the inner adjustment strap 50 to the outer adjustment strap 54. The user adjusts the hat sizing to a desired size by altering the overlap between the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 and the number of posts 58 that are received into holes 62. For a desired hat size, several posts 58 will typically engage a corresponding number of holes 62.
The first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 each have an elongated attachment end 66 which is received within the material forming the hat band/lower edge 30 of the hat 10. The attachment end 66 typically positioned between the material forming the outer surface of the hat (e.g. panels 18) and the material forming the inner surface of the hat (e.g. sweat band 38) and the attachment end 66 is attached to the hat crown 14 by fasteners such as stiches 70. The first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap extend in alignment with the lower edge 30 of the hat crown 14.
The example posts 58 and holes 62 are spaced apart in an array along the respective first adjustment strap 50 and second adjustment strap 54, with the centers of the posts 58 and holes 62 about 8 mm apart. The spacing of the posts 58 and holes 62 allows the length of the perimeter of the lower edge or band 30 of the hat 10 to be adjusted in 8 mm increments. The first adjustment strap 50 includes a flat band of elastic material that is about 1.5 mm thick and about 2 cm wide (about 18 mm wide, or about 20 mm wide in some examples) and about 8 cm long (about 80 mm long in some examples) with a series of posts 58 extending from the surface of the first adjustment strap 50 in a line along the center of the adjustment strap surface. The second adjustment strap 54 includes a flat band of elastic material that is about 1.5 mm thick and about 2 cm wide (about 18 mm wide, or about 20 mm wide in some examples) and about 8 cm long (about 80 mm long in some examples) with a series of holes 62 that extend through the second adjustment strap 54 in a line along the center of the adjustment strap 54. Each post 58 includes a cylindrical neck 74 with a round cross section that is attached to the first adjustment strap 50 and extends upwardly therefrom. Each post 58 includes an enlarged head 78 that is attached to the distal end of the associated neck 74. The post neck 74 is about 3 mm in diameter and is about 1.5 mm tall and is cylindrical in shape with a first circular end attached to the first adjustment strap 50 and a second circular end attached to the post head 78. The post head 78 is button shaped and is about 4.5 mm in diameter and is about 2 mm tall (thick). The post neck 74 and head 78 are round in cross section when viewed from the back, flat side of the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54. The post head 78 has a domed terminal end and rounded sides (circumferential edges) when viewed along a cross section through its longitudinal axis.
The holes 62 are about 3 mm in diameter. The post necks 74 fit snugly in the holes 62 and the post heads 78 hold the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 snugly together against each other once the post 58 is inserted into the hole 62 to position the post head 78 through the hole 62. The post heads 78 have a significant interference fit with the holes 62 as the heads 78 are about 150 percent larger in diameter than the holes 62. The second adjustment strap 54 much stretch significantly to allow the post heads 78 to pass through the holes 62. The post heads 78 have a diameter which is preferably about 120 percent or greater than the diameter of the holes 62, more preferably about 130 percent or greater than the diameter of the holes 62 (e.g. about 4 mm for the example 3 mm holes), and more preferably about 150 percent of the diameter of the holes 62.
The second adjustment strap 54 may include grooves 82 which may be formed in the back, outer face or in the inside face of the second adjustment strap 54. The grooves 82 are disposed at an angle of about 30 degrees off compared with a line traversing directly across the adjustment strap and extend across the second adjustment strap 54 between the holes 62. The grooves 82 are about 1 mm wide and about 0.3 mm deep. The grooves 82 increase the flexibility and elasticity of the second adjustment strap 54 and provide improved grip for a user. The grooves 82 also provide increased tactile and visual appeal.
The first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 are formed from an elastic material. The example first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 are formed from soft, elastic silicone. The example silicone material has a Shore A hardness which is between about 20 and about 60, and more particularly a Shore A hardness which is between about 40 and about 60. The example silicone material has a low elastic modulus which is lower than about 100 MPA and more preferably lower than about 50 MPa, and typically between about 1 and about 5 MPa. The example silicone material is capable of elastic elongation of at least 150 percent without damage, and more particularly is capable of at least 200 percent elongation and even 300 percent elongation without failure. The elastic silicone material gives the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 significant flexibility and elasticity.
The elasticity of the silicone material allows the second adjustment strap 54 to stretch sufficiently to allow the post heads 78 to pass through the holes 62 as the post heads 78 have a diameter which is significantly larger than the diameter of the holes 62 are requires significant stretching to pass through the holes 62.
The adjustment strap elastic properties of high elongation and low elastic modulus provide benefits to the person wearing the hat 10. The flexibility of the silicone material allows the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 to conform to the wearer's head easily and makes the hat 10 more comfortable to wear. The elasticity of the silicone adjustment strap material allows the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 to stretch while the hat 10 is worn. This makes the hat 10 more comfortable to wear. The elasticity and the low elastic modulus of the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 allows the adjustment straps 50, 54 to stretch while the hat is worn without introducing significant tension into the lower hat band 30 around the wearer's head. This allows the hat 10 to better accommodate a person who is between sizes where the hat is too loose at one adjustment size but is too tight at another adjustment size. The elasticity and low elastic modulus of the first adjustment band 50 and second adjustment band 54 allow the person to wear the hat at a tighter (smaller) adjustment size while still providing a comfortable fit around the person's head. The elasticity of the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 also allows a person to wear the hat 10 slightly tighter on their head by using the elasticity of the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 to provide a desired degree of tension in the hat lower band 30. This can provide increased security to the wearer when there is wind or during more vigorous activities without compromising the comfort of the hat. A hat with rigid adjustment straps does not accommodate a wearer in this way as it does not provide elasticity and the hat is significantly too tight on the wearer's head if the hat is adjusted to a size that is too small.
The silicone material used for the first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 also provides visual appeal and tactile appeal to the user. The silicone first adjustment strap 50 and the second adjustment strap 54 have a smooth and supple feel and appearance that is pleasing to a user. The silicone material also provides good grip and tactile feel as the user is adjusting the size of the hat 10. The silicone is also durable when stretched or bent and does not kink or permanently bend during normal use and accidental misuse.
The above description of illustrated examples of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limiting to the precise forms disclosed. While specific examples of the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible without departing from the broader scope of the present claims. Indeed, it is appreciated that specific example dimensions, materials, etc., are provided for explanation purposes and that other values may also be employed in other examples in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/545,095, filed Oct. 20, 2023, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63545095 | Oct 2023 | US |
