Patent Grant
8757831
The field relates to hands-free lighting devices and, in particular, to lighted hats, lighted clothing items, and other accessories and components associated with hands-free lighting devices.
Often an individual desires a light focused to illuminate an area while performing a task or a light directed in a general outward direction for visibility. Holding a flashlight is an option, but such lighting devices are often cumbersome and may detract from the task being completed because the flashlight needs to be hand-held to be able to direct the light at a work site where the user needs illumination. As a result, hands-free lighting is often used because the individual desiring illumination does not need to hold the light source.
Lighted headgear may include illumination sources mounted to various types of headgear and hats. The light can be directed in such a manner so that the wearer is illuminated to be seen by others or directed downward to provide light forwardly of the wearer illuminating an area in the wearer's field of view, such as for reading. Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,618 provides examples of such lighted hats. The light source can be one or more LEDs. Such LED lighted headgear, which may include LEDs mounted to a typical baseball-style cap, are convenient for hands-free lighting in a number of recreational activities, such as camping, hunting, fishing, jogging, or the like. Lighted headgear may include separate components such as one housing or assembly to hold a power source and other electrical components and a separate housing or assembly to contain the illumination source. Other lighted hats may contain all electrical components within a crown and/or brim portion of the hat. In each case, the lighted headgear generally includes a user-activated power switch (to energize the light source) positioned on one of the housings or on a portion of the hat.
In many cases, the lighted headgear is displayed on a store shelf in a manner so that a potential purchaser can operate the switch to turn on the light source. To this end, the hat may be provided to the store with a power source already included so that the light source can be activated by the consumer. However, because the lighted headgear may be shipped in bulk to the store with the power source included, the power source can be unintentionally activated through contact of the activation switch with an adjacently packed hat. In particular, where the activation switch is positioned on the hat brim, the light source can be inadvertently turned on during the shipping process by the hat brim of one hat engaging or depressing the activation switch of another hat nested therewith. Such inadvertent activation can drain the power source prior to the hat's display on the store shelf.
Prior packaging arrangements have been configured to allow actuation of a switch to momentarily activate a power source while an item is encased with the packaging, but such prior packaging is generally a blister-type pack that completely encases the product so that it tends to be bulky and distracts from the appearance of the item within the package. Moreover, such prior blister-pack arrangements generally do not include sufficient structure on the packaging to block inadvertent actuation of the switch that might cause power to drain from the battery. Therefore, when these prior packaging designs are shipped in bulk, there is the risk that engagement between adjacent packages could energize the power source and drain the battery.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,837 to Blaustein provides a bulky blister pak for an electric toothbrush that allows momentary activation of the toothbrush while within the packaging material by permitting a power switch to be depressed momentarily, but attempts to block continuous actuation of the power source by hindering the sliding of the switch to a permanently on position. To this end, Blaustein permits the momentary depressing of its power switch by relying on the flexibility of the blister pak material covering the switch that can easily deform to allow the switch to be depressed, but then includes a single and narrow rib adjacent one side of the momentary switch to prevent the sliding action of the switch to the continuously on position.
Blaustein's single rib is designed primarily to block the activation switch from shifting or sliding in a direction along the shaft of the toothbrush to prevent the switch from being shifted to the continuous on position. Although this packaging arrangement may be effective to prevent the switch from being slid to the continuously on-position, the blister pak has a relatively flexible material surrounding the switch in order to permit the momentary actuation of the switch. Therefore, inadvertent actuation may still occur when multiple items having this packaging arrangement are stacked atop one another. When sufficient items are tightly packed in a box or other shipping crate, a force between packed items may be sufficient to deform of the thin blister pak material covering the switch to depress the switch to the momentary on position. Therefore, Blaustein's switch can be inadvertently depressed to the momentary on position and the power source drained.
Other accessories have also been mounted to headgear to generally enable some aspect of hands-free operation of such accessories. In this regard, the individual's hands are free to complete other tasks while the accessory is being used. For example, cameras, binoculars, as well as other accessories have been mounted to headgear in order to allow the use of the accessory generally without requiring the use of ones hands. However, prior hat and accessory configurations tend to be bulky and also detract from the traditional style of the headgear.
In some instances, the lighted headgear may contain illumination sources, such as powerful LEDs, that release relatively large quantities of heat during operation. In order to protect the components of such an LED lighting system it is advantageous to dissipate the heat generated during light operation. Unfortunately, current heat sinks configured for use with compact light sources such as LEDs tend to be large and bulky and require relatively large flat surfaces to which the heat sink is mounted. In addition, prior heat sinks and LED configurations tend to be relatively thick and rigid which can limit their positioning on some headgear designs, such as baseball type hats or caps. Therefore, mounting a heat sink to an LED on a lighted hat tends to increase the thickness and bulk of the profile of the hat, and particularly the brim thereof from its normal more desired appearance.
Lighted headgear may include activation switches that are operable to establish electrical communication between the power source and the illumination source. The illumination source can be energized once the activation switch is depressed, slid, or otherwise shifted to an on position. For example, it is known to place a push button switch underneath the fabric covering the rigid brim material. However, many activation switches tend to be large and bulky and they do not allow the hat to maintain its normal more desired appearance because the switch provides bulges or other bumps in the profile of the hat.
Other headgear configurations include a power source contained in a rigid battery holder. In some cases, such rigid holder is placed within a lower sweatband area of the crown portion of the headgear that encircles a wearer's head. Because of the rigid configuration of the battery holder, the headgear can be uncomfortable for the wearer because the battery holder generally does not conform to the curved shape of the headgear. Alternatively, loose batteries can be placed in a pouch or other pocket contained within the headgear, but such loose configuration of the batteries can place strain on the wire connection to the battery that can eventually fail after repeated use of the hat due to repeated bending of the connection.
There is provided hands-free lighting, components thereof, and other accessories combined with the hands-free lighting. The hands-free lighting is preferably lighted headgear including hats or lighted clothing items. The hands-free lighting may also include various accessories for use therewith, such as a camera mounted to the headgear with a flash configured to reduce the effects of red eye, different configurations to dissipate heat generated from a high powered light source, switches that are concealed within the headgear to maintain the normal appearance of the hat, protective guards for an activation switch to prevent inadvertent activation thereof, and a relatively flexible battery module configured to power the lighted hat while maintaining its natural and streamlined appearance.
In one aspect, the lighted headgear is a lighted baseball-type hat where a plurality of LEDs are mounted on a brim thereof to provide outward illumination to at least two different distances from the hat. In one form, the LEDs are configured to project outward illumination to the different distances by using LEDs having two different predetermined light cones. In such form, one LED has a wider light cone for providing illumination at closer working distances to the hat while another LED has a narrower light cone for providing illumination at working distances further away from the hat. In another form, the LEDs can be mounted on the brim and disposed to provide outward illumination at varying angles. In this form, one or more LEDs can be mounted to direct illumination substantially parallel to the brim for providing illumination to areas that are at distances far away from the hat, and another LED can be mounted inclined to the brim to project illumination close to the hat. Such LED lighted hats provide for directed illumination either close working distances, such as a reading distance of about 24 to 30 inches in front of a wearer or a working distance much farther from the wearer without the need of a dimmer switch. To this end, the lighted hats herein also provide for illumination close to and far away from the wearer having generally the same intensity of light where the prior hats using dimmer switches have varying intensity depending on the position of the dimmer switch.
In another aspect, the lighted headgear includes a camera accessory mounted to the brim. In one form, the camera accessory can be configured so that the user can operate the camera while keeping their hands free to perform other tasks. The lighted headgear/camera accessory also includes one or more LEDs mounted along the brim at a predetermined distance from the camera and synchronized to energize with the camera to provide a flash for the camera. In order to eliminate the red eye effects that commonly occur when a photograph is taken, the LEDs are preferably mounted a predetermined distance is that relatively far away from a lens of the camera such as positioned on the outside edges of the hat brim at the arcuate portions of the hat brim. By one approach, the LEDs are mounted on opposite sides of the hat brim while the camera lens is mounted centrally on the brim. By positioning the LEDs on the edge of the hat brim with the camera lens centrally positioned on the brim, the effects of red eye can be minimized.
By another approach, the headgear with the camera accessory can further include a control panel. The control panel is disposed on the brim to provide controls for operation and use of the camera. For example, the control panel can include a switch to send control signals to the camera, a switch having different conditions for various operational states of the camera, a connection device to download images or pictures and/or video generated by the camera and charge a power source mounted to the headgear, a status indicator, or the like. The control panel can further include a circuit board in combination with the above components.
In another form, the lighted headgear/camera combination can also include a camera viewfinder that is in electrical communication with a lens of the camera to provide an image from the camera lens. Preferably, the viewfinder is pivotally mounted on an underside of the hat brim so that when the camera is not in use it can be rotated along a pivot axis adjacent to or flush with the under side of the brim. When in use, the viewfinder can be pivoted downwardly in the wearer's line of sight so the wearer can aim the camera and view an image of what the camera lens is focused on.
In another aspect, the lighted headgear includes a relatively thin and flexible heat sink in combination with a flexible circuit board. In one form, the heat sink and circuit board combination is preferably configured to be used with a surface mount LED, mounted to an outboard edge of the hat brim. The relatively thin and flexible heat sink is a thermally conductive material that is in contact with the light source in order to dissipate the heat that is generated by operation of the light source. The relatively thin and flexible heat sink provides advantages over the large and thick prior heat sinks because it can conform to the curvature of the hat brim and/or be bent over an edge of the brim in order to be in direct contact with a surface mount LED mounted to the brim edge and still provide heat dissipation at the same time. Preferably, the flexible circuit board is in electrical communication with a power source and the light source and can be disposed on the brim of the hat and connected to the relatively thin and flexible heat sink in a way that reduces the profile of the lighted hat. In a preferable form, both the circuit board and heat sink are bent over the outboard edge of the hat brim. In this regard, both the heat sink and circuit board can be directly in engagement with the LED on the brim outboard edge, which avoids wiring other connections therebetween simplifying assembly of the hat.
In yet another aspect, the lighted headgear has a rotary switch located along a brim edge and positioned between upper and lower portions of the brim fabric used to cover the brim. Preferably, the rotary switch is disposed on the hat in a manner that maintains the natural streamlined appearance of the brim. The rotary switch can be configured to energize, de-energize, or change the illumination intensity of the light source by turning the switch about its rotary axis. The rotary switch can further be configured to changes modes of the lighted headgear. By one approach, the rotary switch can include a push button mechanism so that the switch can be turned and pushed and depressed.
In another aspect, the lighted headgear can be in the form of a sweatshirt or another garment that includes a hood portion and a hat portion with a brim. Preferably, the brim includes a light source, a power source, and an activation switch all incorporated in a single removable module. The hat portion can be fixed to the hood portion or the hat portion and/or the brim can be removably mounted to the hood portion via a mount mechanism. By one approach, an attachment mechanism between the hat portion and the hood portion can be a zipper, Velcro, snaps, magnets, buttons, pins, adhesives, and other fasteners that provide a detachable connection between the hat and hood portions. By having the electrical components on a removable module or removable hat portion, the electrical components can be removed for washing of the hood portion of the garment.
In yet another aspect, the lighted headgear includes a relatively flexible battery module or holder that includes at least one battery receptacle and a flexible portion for electrical wiring that is electrically connected to a battery held in the receptacle therefor. The battery module is disposed toward the side or back of the lighted hat in a manner that allows the hat to maintain its natural appearance without unsightly projections or bulges due to components of the lighting system mounted therein. Preferably, the flexible portion of the battery holder is a base portion having at least one elongate flexible portion to allow the module to conform to the curvature of the hat and at least one more rigid portion to provide stress relief at an electrical connection between the battery connections and the electrical wiring thereto. In a preferred form, the base portion is overmolded with resilient materials onto the receptacle so that the flexible and more rigid portions are one integral molded piece. The flexible portion is provided with greater flexibility than the rigid portion at which the wires connect to the battery by cut-outs formed in the annular body of the flexible portion. The battery holder, therefore, permits the module to bend in order to conform to the curvature of the hat via the flexible portion but, at the same time, has rigid sections to provide protection to the electrical connection between the battery and the wiring.
In yet another aspect, the lighted headgear includes a removable brim sleeve that may be mounted to a brim portion of the lighted headgear so as to provide protection against inadvertent actuation of a light switch associated with the lighted headgear. Preferably, the brim sleeve will include a thin cardboard, paperboard, or other fiberboard packaging cover or body capable of being detachably mounted to a brim of the lighted headgear. An upper portion of the brim sleeve body is configured to extend across and substantially cover a top portion of the lighted hat brim and is connected to at least one lower portion of the brim sleeve body, which is configured to extend along a bottom surface of the lighted hat brim between opposite brim side edges thereof. Such a configuration provides a packaging cover that forms a sleeve about the brim that generally conforms to the upper and lower brim surfaces so as to maintain a thin profile having a curvature similar to that of the brim surfaces. This configuration of the brim sleeve provides a packaging surface for indicia or other cap identification, but is not bulky and generally does not distract from the hat's appearance because it configured to conform to the curvature of the upper and lower brim surfaces. In addition, such compact and conforming configuration of the brim sleeve relative to the hat brim also enables a consumer to try on the hat in the store because the brim sleeve does not interfere with the crown or other head wrapping portion of the hat.
The lighted headgear also includes an actuation switch used to actuate the light source on the lighted headgear. The actuation switch may include a variety of forms and be positioned in a variety of locations on the hat. In one example, the actuation switch is disposed on the lower brim surface and has a button or plunger actuator extending away from the brim surface that is configured to be depressable toward the brim such that the light source may be actuated to an “on” or “off” state by depressing the button or plunger actuator towards the brim. A user may depress the button or plunger actuator to actuate the lighted headgear to its on-state, which may include a number of alternative lighting modes (blinking, colors, varying number of light sources energized, etc.) selected by repeatedly depressing the button to select the modes of the on-state. The light source will remain in the on-state (or selected lighting mode) until the user again depresses the plunger actuator causing the switch to configure the lighted headgear to an off-state.
The brim sleeve may also include a protection or switch guard adjacent to or extending around the actuation switch. For example, at least one lower portion of the brim sleeve body may have the switch guard associated therewith that is configured to extend about the actuation switch so as to avoid inadvertent actuation thereof. The switch guard may be a portion of the cardboard body or be a separate plastic piece mounted to the cardboard or paperboard portion of the brim sleeve via a mounting flange and a mating surface. In a preferred form, the switch guard is a molded plastic material having an upstanding flange or wall portion that, when mounted to the hat brim, extends away from the brim surface beyond the plunger actuator to serve as a barrier for avoiding unintentional actuation of the actuation switch. The upstanding flange or wall portion may generally encircle the activation switch, but still has an access opening associated with the button or plunger actuator thereby providing direct and intentional access to the switch. In one form, the actuation switch is a push button switch, which may be provided in the form of the rotary switch, as described above.
Many lighted hats may be manufactured at the same facility and transported from the facility to a retail store for consumer purchasing in a shipping box or other crate. A convenient way to transport such lighted hats is to place a plurality of lighted hats in a nested configuration where the individual hats within the plurality of lighted hats stack atop one another such that a crown of a lower lighted hat is inserted into a crown of an upper lighted hat while a brim of the lower lighted hat overlaps at least a portion of a brim of the upper lighted hat. This nested configuration allows for convenient and efficient transportation of the plurality of lighted hats. In order to prevent inadvertent actuation of an activation switch associated with any of the individual hats within the plurality of lighted hats, an insert spacer device is provided that is positioned between the nested brims of adjacent hats. For example, the insert spacer device may be positioned between the brim upper surface of the lower hat and the brim lower surface of the upper hat. The spacer device is then arranged and configured to maintain a space between the two hat brims so that the switch on the lower surface of the upper hat remains spaced from the upper brim surface of the lower hat when the hats are in a nested arrangement.
In one form, the insert spacer device may include the above described brim sleeve and switch guard to prevent the inadvertent actuation of the corresponding activation switches associated with each of the individual hats when in the nested arrangement. In particular, each hat will include an associated brim sleeve surrounding its brim with the associated switch guard extending about its activation switch. These switch guards will also preferably have an upstanding flange or wall portion that encircles the activation switch to avoid inadvertent actuation of the activation switch by any of the other individual hats within the plurality of lighted hats in the nested configuration.
a is a cross-sectional view of a wall portion of the protective guard of the packaging material having an inner and outer flange portion configured to prevent inadvertent actuation of the activation switch;
In general, the various aspects of the invention herein relate to hands-free lighting, components thereof, and other accessories therefor combined with the hands-free lighting. As further described below, the hands-free lighting may include lighted headgear such as hats, including baseball caps, hoods, and other lighted clothing items having the lights positioned thereon to provide lighting forwardly of the wearer. The hands-free lighting include configurations to provide illumination in multiple directions, streamlined configurations to dissipate heat generated by the light source, multi-functional switches concealed in the headgear, and robust power source holder configurations that generally reinforce connections to the battery yet still permit some flexibility of the power source holder. Other accessories associated with the lighted headgear include a camera mounted to headgear having a flash thereon configured to reduce the effects of red eye, removable packaging materials with a protective guard that limits inadvertent actuation of a switch to energize the lights of the lighted headgear, or a relatively flexible battery holder coupled to the lighted headgear in a streamlined manner.
A first embodiment of hands-free lighting having a light source configured to direct light in multiple directions is illustrated. In general, the lighted hat and other headgear described herein include a variety of different illumination sources, which are preferably LEDs, mounted at different locations on the hat. To energize these illumination sources, a variety of different power assemblies can also be used that employ varying mechanisms to generate energy. For instance, as disclosed in Applicant's U.S. application Ser. No. 11/941,558, which is incorporated herein in its entirety, the power sources may include power generators that use renewable energy, such as solar, wind, or kinetic energy, or various battery configurations in order to generate electrical power that ultimately energizes the variety of light sources that may be included on the disclosed hats. While the following description and illustrations may describe a conventional battery power source, renewable power generators as described in the '558 application may also be included in the hat embodiments. In addition, while the preferred headgear is a baseball-type hat or cap, the power assemblies and illumination sources may also be mounted to any suitable headgear, such as visors, helmets, headbands, hoods, or the like.
Referring to
Referring to
By one approach, the high beam light sources 30 can provide illumination a distance from the wearer through an LED having a light cone 20 of a relatively narrow angle α to provide a concentrated beam of light that can be projected a distance from hat 10. In one form, the angle α is approximately about 15 to about 25 degrees, and preferably about 20 degrees. In other cases, the light beam is about 40 degrees.
The low beam light sources 32 are configured to project illumination close to the wearer such as to provide illumination for reading by providing an LED having a relatively wide light cone 21 of angle β. In one form, angle β is about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees and preferably about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees. In this manner, the high beam of light 20 comprises a smaller width cone angle α to allow illumination upon objects located at distances further away from the wearer, and the low beam of light 21 comprises a larger width cone angle β to expand the close range field of light and allow illumination upon objects that are located closer to the wearer.
In one embodiment, both the high beam 30 and low beam 32 light sources can be configured with a switch or device that may allow the wearer to select either the high beam light source 30 or low beam light source 32, as generally shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
By one approach, the low beam light source 32 mounted on the lower surface 31 is canted at an angle θ1 relative to an axis B extending through the hat brim 16 so that the low light beam 21 is directed forwardly of the hat brim 16 to illuminate an area relatively close to the hat brim. Preferably, the cant angle θ1 is about 15 to about 30 degrees, and most preferably about 20 degrees. More particularly, the low beam light source 32 is a 50,000 MCD light emitting diode having a 60 degree light cone, and as discussed above, has the cant angle θ1 from the brim axis B of about 20 degrees. As mentioned, by mounting the low beam light source 32 away from the brim perimeter edge 29 and canting the light forwardly, the direction of the low light beam 21 does not shine in the direction of others near the person wearing the light hat. Advantageously, such canting of the low beam lights 32 illuminates areas adjacent the wearer in their field of view (i.e., reading distance), but does not blind others near the hat wearer.
The high beam light source 30 is positioned to extend from the perimeter edge 29 of the hat brim 16 to direct light forwardly of the wearer. By one approach, the high beam light source 30 may also be canted relative to the brim axis B at a cant angle θ2, but is canted over a smaller angle θ2 than the low beam light 32. For example, the high beam light may be canted 0 to about 15 degrees downwardly from the axis B. More specifically, the high beam light 30 may be a 20,000 MCD light emitting diode having a 40 degree light cone that is canted downwardly from an axis B extending through the hat brim 14 about 15 degrees.
The hat may include multiple high beam or low beam light sources on the hat brim. By one approach, the lighted hats may have at least two LEDs spaced from each other on opposite sides of a centerline of the hat brim, such as provided in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,618, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. By having two spaced LEDs on either side of the brim center line, the lighted hats may provide enhanced illumination with sufficient lighting of an area to be illuminated. By positioning the light source away from the hat's centerline and maintaining the spacing of the LEDs from each other on the brim, the hats herein offer enhanced depth perception of an area to be illuminated because the illumination from the spaced LEDs provide well defined shadows and texture to the object being illuminated.
The high beam light source 30 and low beam light source 32 are spaced from each other. To this end, the lights 30 and 32 are mounted on different portions of the hat brim. For example and as mentioned above, the high beam light source 30 is mounted to extend from the brim's outer perimeter edge 29, and the low beam light source 32 is mounted to extend downwardly from the major surface 31 forming the brim's lower or underside. As a result of this configuration and positioning of the lights 30 and 32, the low beam light cone 21 and the high beam light cone 20 preferably do not intersect or overlap each other and provide separate and discrete cones of illumination for differing purposes (i.e., far illumination and close-in illumination). When both sets of lights are energized, the wearer will not need to redirect their head to focus light on close and far objects, the wearer simply needs to move their eyes without head movement as the hat already directs illumination in two different directions and orientations.
The form of the lighted hat may also include a single or multi-function switch 41 positioned on the lower brim surface 31. In one aspect, the switch 41 may be a multi-position switch that includes one or more positions or modes, such as at least a 4-position switch to select varying modes of illumination. For example, the switch 41 can select either one of the high beam or low beam illumination or both at the same time, vary intensity of one or both light sources, vary color, and the like.
For energizing the light source, the lighted hat may include two battery packs mounted in the hat. In one configuration, both battery packs are electrically connected to both the low beam and high beam lights, but in another configuration, one battery pack is electrically connected to the low beam lights and the other battery pack is connected to the high beam lights. In this situation, the battery configuration can be optimized for each set of lights. For instance, additional battery power can be provided for either the low or high beam lights as the case may be to provide additional illumination.
Optionally, rather than fixed angles of illumination, the light sources 34 and 36 can be configured to pivot via a pivot shaft (not shown). The pivoting mechanism can be electrically controlled by a switch 35 which is operable to rotate the pivot shaft and the light sources 34 and 36 secured to the shaft to illuminate along axes parallel or transverse to brim axis B.
Referring to
Referring now to more details of an exemplary hat, the brim 116 includes an upper major surface 26, a lower major surface 28 and a brim insert 24 having side edges 30 and a front edge 32. An upper and lower covering 34, 36, such as a fabric covering, may be disposed across the upper and lower major surfaces 26, 28 of the brim insert. The upper and lower coverings 34, 36 may be joined together, such as by stitching, adhesive, or the like, at a perimeter edge 38 of the brim 116 with narrow piping material or other fabric material 40. The hat 110 may further include a switch 42, including, for example, a pushbutton switch, a slide switch, a rotary switch, or the like, disposed on a portion of the hat 110, such as one of the upper or lower major surfaces 26, 28, upper or lower covering portions 34, 36, the perimeter edge 38, or on other portions of the crown 114. The hat 110 may also include a power source 44, which is illustrated as a battery pack stored in the hat band 20 of the crown 114. The power source 44 may also be located in other portions of the hat. Electrical connections 46 are provided between the power source 44, the switch 42, and other lighted hat components, such as light sources, in the form of leads and the like to provide power thereto.
More specifically and referring to
The camera 144 can be a digital camera capable of taking individual photos, groups of photos, and/or video. By one approach, the camera 144 can operate at less than 30 frames per second, and preferably about 25 frames per second. By another approach, the camera 144 can operate at least at 30 frames per second to generate high definition images therewith.
The camera 144 has been described as being mounted to an edge 140 of the brim 116, however, the camera 144 can also be mounted to or adjacent to the upper or lower major surfaces 26, 28 of the brim 116. For example, the camera 144 can be mounted to the brim upper major surface 26 so that the camera 144 or the leads or wiring 46 extends through the upper covering portion 34. By another approach, the camera 144 can be mounted to or adjacent to the brim lower major surface 28, such as within an internal or external mounting base. Co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/714,403, filed Feb. 26, 2010, describes in part various methods and apparatus for mounting light sources to the brim lower major surface, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The various methods and apparatus for mounting light sources as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/714,403 are equally applicable to the camera lens 144 or can having a camera lens added thereto, so that the camera is secured beneath the brim. This advantageously protects the camera 144 from exposure to the elements, such as sunlight and precipitation. It can further protect the camera 144 from physical damage if the headgear is inadvertently dropped.
Referring to
Another exemplary camera hat 1800 is shown in
In the illustrated form, the control panel 1804 includes a switch 1808, such as a push button switch, slide switch, or the like, configured to send a control signal to the camera 1802. The control panel 1804 further includes a setting switch 1810 configured to set the operation settings of the camera 1802. As illustrated, the setting switch 1810 allows a user to select between a first position 1812 to turn off the camera 1802, a second position 1814 to take single snapshots or photos with the camera 1802 upon actuation of the switch 1808, and a third position 1816 to take a continuous video with the camera 1802 upon actuation of the switch 1808. The control panel 1804 can also include a status indicator 1818, in this form an LED. The LED 1818 can utilize color, blinking, or the like to indicate whether the camera 1802 is on, recording video, taking a photo, or the like. The control panel 1802 can also include a USB port 1820 or other connection device, such as utilizing other connecting heads, wireless connection methods such as Bluetooth, infrared, Wi-Fi or the like. The USB port 1820 can be utilized by a user to download photos or video, such as from a memory 1823, which can take any suitable form and may be removable or permanently mounted to the brim 116. By another approach, the USB port 1820 can also be utilized to charge a power source 1822 configured to provide power to the control panel 1804 and the camera 1802. The USB port 1820 may further include a cover 1821 configured to tightly fit thereon to protect the USB port 1820, as well as prevent foreign matter from entering the port 1820. By one approach, the cover 1821 may be formed from a flexible material, such as rubber, flexible plastic, or the like. By another approach, the cover 1821 may be hingedly attached to the control panel 1804, such as to pivot or flip off of the USB port 1820, so that the cover 1821 can be removed from the USB port 1820 without being removed from the control panel 1804 because such completely removable covers are easily lost. As shown, the control panel 1804 is attached to a circuit board 1824, such as by snap-fit, hardware, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, or the like. The control panel 1804 and the circuit board 1824 can be attached to the brim 116 by a clamping mechanism, stitching, adhesive, hardware, or the like. Preferably, the circuit board 1824 is a printed circuit board and is positioned above the lower major covering 36 of the brim 116. The control panel 1804 can then be provided below the lower major covering 36 of the brim 116 and attached to the circuit board 1824 to sandwich the lower major covering 36 therebetween.
By another approach, the camera hat 1800 can include sound system 1826, including various sound system components, such as a microphone 1828, one or more speakers 1830, volume control 1832 in the form of push buttons, a rotary switch, or other suitable actuating mechanisms, or the like along with a memory 1834 to further be configured to record sound, which can also be utilized in conjunction with the video feature of the camera hat 1800. As shown, the sound system 1826 is entirely disposed on the brim 116, such as to the upper or lower major surfaces 26, 28 thereof; however, the components can be separated and/or distributed to other portions of the hat 1800.
The camera hat 1800 may further include a light source 1826, such as disposed in the front edge 32 of the brim 116 as shown, or mounted elsewhere on the hat 1800 as described herein. The light source 1826 can provide a flash for a photograph, a continuous stream of light for a video, or the like. So configured, the necessary controls are provided on the control panel 1804 that is substantially concealed on the lower major surface 32 of the brim 116. The control panel 1804 as described above, can further be used in combination with the below described switches, switch guards, and/or heat sinks. This preserves the aesthetics of the hat 110, as well as provides an apparatus to take stealthy video and photos.
Referring to
Referring to
The hat 210 also preferably includes the flexible PCB 258, which can be used to provide electrical communication between at least one of the light sources 262 and a power source (not shown in this view). The flexible PCB 258 may also be connected to the heat sink 260, preferably in a manner that avoids sufficiently increasing the profile of the lighted hat 10, and particularly the brim 216 thereof.
In one aspect, the flexible PCB 258 may be formed from about 0.5 to about 5 mil thick film or include multiple layers of such films. The flexible PCB 258 should have sufficient flexibility to bend or curve to be fixed to the curved brim, such as either along one of its main curved surfaces 230, 232 or about the outboard, curved edge 234 thereof. That is, the flexible PCB 258 should be capable of being curved to have a radius of curvature about 3 to about 7 inches for being mounted flush to one of the brim main surfaces 230, 232 or 234; however, greater or less flexibility may also be acceptable depending on the particular design of the lighted hat 10 or other headgear. Alternatively, as mentioned, the flexible PCB 258 should be sufficiently flexible to curve or bend around the outer edge 240 of the brim 216.
Referring to
Alternatively, as shown in
As described above, the camera 144, 1802 is in electrical communication with the printed circuit board 148, 1824 that is connected to a power source 150. Accordingly, the heat sink(s) 260 as described above can further be utilized to dissipate heat generated by operation of the camera 144, 1802 and its associated board 148, 1824 and/or electronics. For example, the heat sink 260 can extend along the circuit board 148, 1824 and include a bend to be positioned adjacent to the camera 144, 1802 positioned at the brim outboard edge 140, such as shown with the light source in
In this regard, for instance when used with control panel 1804, the heat sink 260, 260a can be configured to have the same footprint as the panel so that they are congruent with each other, e.g. rectangular, so as to cover the electronic components presented therein and block RF emissions therefrom.
As best shown in
The heat sink 260 can be made of a variety of materials including aluminum, tin, or any other conductive type metal. In a preferred embodiment, in order to reduce the thickness and profile of the hat brim 216, the heat sink 260 is formed from a relatively thin and flexible sheet of thermally conductive material. To this end, the flexible heat sink 260 may be curved to conform to the curved brim portion 216 and also include a bent portion 261 extending over the outboard edge 240 of the brim as shown in
Referring to
More specifically, the rotary switch 366 is mounted to the hat brim 316 so that it projects outwardly from an outboard edge 340 of the brim as illustrated in
By a further approach, rotation of the rotary switch 366 can operate a zoom function for the camera 144, 1802, including for photos and video. For example, clockwise rotation can zoom in the camera 144, 1802 out and counterclockwise rotation can zoom out the camera 144, 1802. Alternatively, the rotary switch 366 can include a first momentary radial position that zooms the camera in and a second momentary radial position that zooms the camera out. In this configuration, the switch 366 can further include a biasing mechanism, including a spring or the like, to urge the switch 366 back to a base or neutral position.
An alternative rotary switch 404 is illustrated in
Alternatively, the headgear can include a slide switch 410 having a push button mechanism including a plunger 416 depending from a switch actuator 412 as illustrated in
Referring again to
As described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/941,558, the light sources 362 may operate in different illumination modes. For example, the light sources 362 may illuminate at the same time, may be illuminated separately, may blink, or illuminate in different patterns. In that regard, the rotary switch 366 may have multiple stops or energizing points to allow a user to select each of the modes. Similarly, the rotary switch 366 may be configured to select each of the above modes by being pushed or depressed.
Referring to
In general, the brim sleeve 402 is provided with a detachable covering 408, which is detachably securable to the hat 404, and a barrier wall or shielding member/portion 410 for protection against accidental actuation of the switch 406. The shield portion 410 protects the switch 406 from unintended actuation but, at the same time, still permits direct and intentional actuation of the switch 406 by a potential purchaser or other user. That is, the shield member 410 is configured as a protective barrier that is adjacent to and, preferably partially or completely surrounding the switch 406 so that an adjacent surface (such as a table, wall, or other nested hat 404a shown in
As shown in the drawings, the hat 404 may be a traditional baseball style hat haying a crown portion 412 and a brim portion 414 extending from a forward, lower edge of the crown portion 412 as shown in
In one form, the shielding member/portion 410 of the guarding device may be particularly effective in preventing the inadvertent actuation of an illumination activation switch 406 having a depressable button or plunger actuator 406a for actuating the illumination source as generally shown in
Turning to more of the details, the detachable covering 408 of the guarding device 402 effectively forms a sleeve that encircles the hat brim and includes a thin cardboard or paperboard body 403 (
The opposite side ends 426 and 428 of the brim sleeve are generally of the same thickness as the hat brim 414 (
Each of the flaps 424 permits the covering 408 to be detachably mounted to the hat 404. By one approach, each flap 424 also includes a fastening member 432 in the form of a rearwardly extending strip 434 located adjacent the distal ends 436 of the flaps 424 (
The body 403 of the brim sleeve 402 is preferably a paper, cardboard, fiberboard, laminate or other conformable packaging-type material that is sufficiently flexible and can be folded at the ends 426 and 428 rending it capable of conforming to the curvature of the hat brim 414. To this end, the covering 408 may include score lines, folds, creases, perforations or other indents 448, 446 to permit easier folding and to define intersections between the adjacent cover sections. The top surface 420 of the detachable covering 408 may also include a decorative outer layer to be used for various markings and other indicia such as labels, logos, and other instructions so that the brim sleeve 402 also functions as a product identifier or marketing label. For instance, the top surface may indicate that the light source may be tested by suggesting the hat includes a “try me feature”.
The shield member or portion 410 of the brim sleeve may be a portion of the paperboard body or, preferably, include a separate structure formed from a molded plastic that is attached to a portion of the paperboard body 403 of the brim sleeve. By one approach, the shield member 410 includes a wall 442 formed from upstanding flanges 441 (
In one form, the shield wall 442 is formed from the upstanding flanges 441 and, in particular, a pair of upstanding flanges that form an annular structure arranged and configured to encircle the switch 406 when mounted to the hat. Turning again to
When the shield 410 is a separate piece from the paperboard body of the detachable covering 408, it also includes a mounting flange 443 thereof so that it can be mounted by a fastener 443a (such as staples, pins, adhesive, and the like) to a corresponding mating surface 450 located on one of the brim sleeve body flaps 424 in a position so that when the body 403 is mounted to the brim 414 as described above, the wall 442 of the shield member 410 surrounds the brim mounted switch 406 as best illustrated in
The shield member 410 also preferably includes seating flanges for providing a flush engagement with the brim surface when mounted thereto. Turning to
Still referring to
The preferred annular shape of the shielding member 410 and upstanding flange 441 having the distal end 445 thereof spaced beyond the switch prevent inadvertent actuation of the activation switch 406 by providing barrier wall that surrounds the switch 406 and provides an blocking surface at multiple contact locations along the annular distal end 445 against an intruding object. For example, an object having a size larger than the access opening 444 and coming in contact with the shield member/portion 410 may contact various locations along the annular distal end 445 at the same time. In one form, the intruding object may contact two opposite locations (i.e., 445a and 445b in
The guarding device 402 is advantageous because it keeps adjacent surfaces away from the power switch 406. One useful application is when a plurality of hats 404 are nested together for packaging and shipping to a store. Turning to
Lighted hats may be displayed on a store shelf prior to purchasing by a consumer. Many times, a consumer may wish to test a lighted hat to evaluate how well the illumination source on the hat works. While on display, the switch access opening 444 associated with the shield member 410 provides a user with intentional and direct access to the activation switch 406. A user may therefore use a finger to directly enter the switch access opening 444 and intentionally activate the switch 406 so that the illumination or other accessory devices can be tested while the hat is displayed on the store shelf. As described above, this configuration still prevents against unintentional actuation of the activation switch while allowing a user direct access to intentionally actuate the switch. In this manner, the hat 404 can be shipped to the store with the power source 411 already installed without the concern that the activation switch be inadvertently turned on during shipment which can drain the power source thereof.
Referring to
Turning to
The wiring 512 extends through the base to each of the batteries and out a distal end of the base where it can be connected to a circuit board, illumination source, switch, or other accessory (not shown). The base 510 provides rigid protection to an electrical connection 513 between the wires and each battery 506 that limits the amount of bending or flexing that can occur at this connection. While the module 502 is shown with two battery pockets 504, it will be appreciated that additional or fewer pockets may be included as needed to provide the desired power level to the hat and associated accessories.
In one form, the base 510 is an elongate tubular structure having an annular wall 512 forming a plastic tube through which the wiring 512 extends. The tube wall 512 includes multiple portions that include at least two relatively flexible portions 514 configured to permit the module 502 to bend or flex and also at least two relatively rigid portions 516 which form a rigid connection 517 to the battery pockets 504. The flexible portions 514 are formed from a series of annular bands 518 axially spaced along the length of the tubing with narrower tubing sections 520 in between the annular bands 518. The narrow tube sections 520 have a relatively thinner wall thickness compared to the rigid tube portions 516 and, therefore, permit the tubing portions 514 to flex or bend. The annular bands 518 have a relatively thicker wall dimension and can provide hard stops to limit the amount of bending of the flexible portions 514. To this end, as the portion 514 is flexed, upon sufficient bending, the outer edges 519 of the annular bands 518 will abut each other to limit the amount of bending. To control the amount of flexing of the tube, a spacing D1 between the annular bands 518 can be varied. For instance, greater spacing D1 will permit more bending of the flexible portion and narrower spacing D1 will permit less bending of the flexible portion.
Preferably, the base 510 includes two flexible portions 514. One flexible portion 514 is positioned between the two battery pockets 504 and rigid portions 516 to permit each battery pocket 504 to flex or bend relative to each other. The other flexible portion 514 is provided at the distal end 522 of the base 510 to provide flexibility at the location where the wiring enters the base 510.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring more specifically to
In one embodiment, the hat and hood combination also includes a headband 612 extending around the side and rear outer portions of the hood 604. The headband helps to position the hat portion 605 in a desired position on a wearer's head. By one approach, the headband 612 may be formed from an elastic material and extends around the sides and rear of the hood from one side of the hat portion 605 to the other. The headband 612 may be stitched to the hood or, as shown in
The hat portion 605 includes the illumination source 606 and the necessary electrical components for energizing the illumination source 606. For example, the hat portion 605 may include any of or any portion of the previously described illuminated hats herein or described in related U.S. application Ser. No. 11/941,558. Preferably, the hat portion 605 has the illumination source 606 on an outboard edge 616 of the hat brim 607 and configured to provide illumination forwardly of the wearer. The embodiment shown in
Referring now to
By one approach, the fastener mechanism 620 includes Velcro, snaps, pins, buttons, zippers, and other fastening methods. As shown, an outer edge 619 of the crown portion 608 includes a plurality of spaced fabric flaps 621 having a snap 622 thereon. Each of the snaps 622 is configured to be received in corresponding receiving snap members 625 secured to an inner surface 627 of the hood 604 such as adjacent an outer edge 623 of the hood 604. Optionally, the hood 604 may include an integral or separate headband 624, which may be part of the removable hat portion 605 or may be provided in inner portions of the hood 604 similar to the headband 612 described above.
Rather than having the crown portion 608 removably attached to the hood 604, the lighted clothing 602 may also include a removable hat brim 607. For example, as shown in
Turning to
Turning now to
More specifically, the brim 607 includes an inner cavity 654 defined by a brim outer wall 655 and an brim edge wall 656 extending along the brim outboard edge 657. The cavity 654 is sized to receive the module 652 therein. In order to position the illumination source 606 for outward projection of illumination, the edge wall 656 preferably includes slots 659 extending from the cavity 654 through the outer wall 656. To this end, the module 652 is inserted into the cavity 654 with the illumination sources placed in the slots 659.
To access the cavity 654, a lower fabric surface 658 of the brim 607 includes a flap 660 that may be peeled back to expose the cavity 654. The flap 660 is secured to the brim edge wall 656 by a fastener 658, shown here as Velcro but the fastener 658 may be any removable fastening mechanism like buttons, snaps, adhesive, and the like. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
Preferably, the module 652 includes all the components necessary to illuminate the power source 606. As shown, the module 652 includes a power source 662, a circuit board 664, an activation switch 666, and other electrical connections 668. It will be appreciated that the various electrical components shown on the module 652 are only exemplary and other electrical connections and components may be provided as needed for each particular circumstance. As shown in
It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and components that have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the lighted hats and garments as claimed may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US2008/087542, filed Dec. 18, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/014,726, filed Dec. 18, 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/330,185, filed Apr. 30, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 645984 | Tournier | Mar 1900 | A |
| 909742 | Borchert | Jan 1909 | A |
| 1098628 | Hyman | Jun 1914 | A |
| 1109415 | Harris | Sep 1914 | A |
| 1255265 | Zachara | Feb 1918 | A |
| 1323822 | Bramming | Dec 1919 | A |
| 1572210 | Kolibas | Feb 1926 | A |
| 1744777 | Lundgren | Jan 1930 | A |
| 1749998 | Collins | Mar 1930 | A |
| D137375 | Heit | Feb 1944 | S |
| 2369829 | Johnson | Feb 1945 | A |
| 2373553 | Fetterman | Apr 1945 | A |
| 2461254 | Bassett | Feb 1949 | A |
| 2473394 | Scott | Jun 1949 | A |
| 2540435 | Ferguson | Feb 1951 | A |
| 2552764 | Bedford, Jr | May 1951 | A |
| 2638532 | Brady | May 1953 | A |
| 2640980 | Prupis | Jun 1953 | A |
| 2705751 | Harris et al. | Apr 1955 | A |
| 2788439 | Hesse | Apr 1957 | A |
| 2904670 | Calmes | Sep 1959 | A |
| 2978696 | Keller et al. | Apr 1961 | A |
| 3008040 | Moore | Nov 1961 | A |
| 3032647 | Wansky et al. | May 1962 | A |
| 3040881 | McNeil | Jun 1962 | A |
| 3057992 | Ridgway | Oct 1962 | A |
| 3060308 | Fortuna | Oct 1962 | A |
| 3123208 | Barnum et al. | Mar 1964 | A |
| 3184058 | Crowther | May 1965 | A |
| 3201771 | Proulx | Aug 1965 | A |
| 3350552 | Lawrence | Oct 1967 | A |
| 3358137 | Sinclair et al. | Dec 1967 | A |
| 3491374 | Frangos | Jan 1970 | A |
| 3537909 | Horton | Nov 1970 | A |
| 3602759 | Evans et al. | Aug 1971 | A |
| 3666901 | Weinhart | May 1972 | A |
| 3749902 | Drew | Jul 1973 | A |
| 3845389 | Phillips et al. | Oct 1974 | A |
| 3947676 | Battilana et al. | Mar 1976 | A |
| 3963917 | Romano | Jun 1976 | A |
| 4005776 | Seeley | Feb 1977 | A |
| 4011600 | Malk | Mar 1977 | A |
| 4053688 | Perkins et al. | Oct 1977 | A |
| 4176932 | Young et al. | Dec 1979 | A |
| 4186429 | Johnston | Jan 1980 | A |
| 4210952 | Ressmeyer | Jul 1980 | A |
| 4231079 | Heminover | Oct 1980 | A |
| 4268894 | Bartunek et al. | May 1981 | A |
| 4283127 | Rosenwinkel et al. | Aug 1981 | A |
| 4298913 | Lozar | Nov 1981 | A |
| 4364107 | Wieczorek et al. | Dec 1982 | A |
| 4392183 | Ostlund et al. | Jul 1983 | A |
| 4398237 | Doyel | Aug 1983 | A |
| 4406040 | Cannone | Sep 1983 | A |
| 4425531 | Holmes | Jan 1984 | A |
| D272733 | Cosmos et al. | Feb 1984 | S |
| 4442478 | Stansbury | Apr 1984 | A |
| 4462064 | Schweitzer | Jul 1984 | A |
| 4470263 | Lehovec et al. | Sep 1984 | A |
| 4483021 | McCall | Nov 1984 | A |
| 4516157 | Campbell | May 1985 | A |
| 4521831 | Thayer | Jun 1985 | A |
| 4541698 | Lerner | Sep 1985 | A |
| 4551857 | Galvin | Nov 1985 | A |
| 4559516 | Schott et al. | Dec 1985 | A |
| 4570206 | Deutsch | Feb 1986 | A |
| 4602191 | Davila | Jul 1986 | A |
| 4604760 | Coin | Aug 1986 | A |
| 4638410 | Barker | Jan 1987 | A |
| 4642817 | Ferstenfeld | Feb 1987 | A |
| 4665568 | Stutes | May 1987 | A |
| 4669610 | Lindsey et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4680815 | Hirsch et al. | Jul 1987 | A |
| 4794496 | Lanes et al. | Dec 1988 | A |
| 4817212 | Benoit | Apr 1989 | A |
| 4827384 | Von Schlemmer | May 1989 | A |
| 4872218 | Holt | Oct 1989 | A |
| 4901210 | Hanabusa | Feb 1990 | A |
| 4901211 | Shen | Feb 1990 | A |
| 4945458 | Batts et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
| 4951068 | Ichikawa et al. | Aug 1990 | A |
| 4959760 | Wu | Sep 1990 | A |
| 4963045 | Willcox | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4991068 | Mickey | Feb 1991 | A |
| 4998187 | Herrick | Mar 1991 | A |
| D316932 | Escher, Jr. | May 1991 | S |
| 5039829 | Brucksch | Aug 1991 | A |
| 5060814 | Oglesbee | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5068771 | Savage, Jr. | Nov 1991 | A |
| 5070436 | Alexander et al. | Dec 1991 | A |
| 5088127 | Thornock | Feb 1992 | A |
| 5111366 | Rife et al. | May 1992 | A |
| 5113325 | Eisenbraun | May 1992 | A |
| 5122943 | Pugh | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5140116 | Schmitt-Walter | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5140220 | Hasegawa | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5143443 | Madsen | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5163420 | Van Dear Bel | Nov 1992 | A |
| 5165789 | Womack | Nov 1992 | A |
| 5189512 | Cameron et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
| 5193220 | Ichinohe et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5193347 | Apisdorm | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5218385 | Lii | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5224772 | Fustos | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5230558 | Jong | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5238344 | Nagayama | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5245516 | de Haas et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
| 5249675 | Strauss et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
| 5278734 | Ferber | Jan 1994 | A |
| D349123 | Cooley et al. | Jul 1994 | S |
| 5329637 | Walker | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5331333 | Tagawa et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5331357 | Cooley et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5357409 | Glatt | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5363291 | Steiner | Nov 1994 | A |
| 5404593 | Kronenberger | Apr 1995 | A |
| 5408393 | Becker | Apr 1995 | A |
| 5410746 | Gelber | Apr 1995 | A |
| 5418565 | Smith | May 1995 | A |
| 5423419 | Wentz et al. | Jun 1995 | A |
| 5438698 | Burton et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5452190 | Priesemuth | Sep 1995 | A |
| 5460346 | Hirsch | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5463538 | Womack | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5467992 | Harkness | Nov 1995 | A |
| 5485358 | Chien | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5503637 | Kyricos et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5508900 | Norman | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5510961 | Peng | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5541767 | Murphy et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
| 5541816 | Miserendino | Jul 1996 | A |
| 5542627 | Crenshaw et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5546099 | Quint et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5564128 | Richardson | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5567038 | Lary | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5575554 | Guritz | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5610678 | Tsuboi et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5655374 | Santilli | Aug 1997 | A |
| 5667291 | Caplan et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5667292 | Sabalvaro, Jr. | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5676449 | Newsome | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5677079 | DeZorzi | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5680718 | Ratcliffe et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5688039 | Johnson | Nov 1997 | A |
| 5692244 | Johnson et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5708449 | Heacock et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
| 5718335 | Boudreaux | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5722762 | Soll | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5730290 | Futo | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5741060 | Johnson | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5743621 | Mantha et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5758947 | Glatt | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5786665 | Ohtsuki et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5800278 | Varriano | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5822636 | Cho | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5829063 | Cheng | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5829860 | Lawther et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5836673 | Lo | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5845778 | Hickey, Jr. | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5845987 | Painter | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5857220 | Erny et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5865333 | Wolfe | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5871271 | Chien | Feb 1999 | A |
| D407187 | Makki | Mar 1999 | S |
| 5876241 | Frantz | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5894604 | Crabb et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5918966 | Arnold | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5920910 | Calvo | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5921674 | Koczi | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5922489 | Adachi | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5931693 | Yamazaki | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5946071 | Feldman | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5982969 | Sugiyama et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5997165 | Lehrer | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6005536 | Beadles et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6007212 | Chan | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6007213 | Baumgartner | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6009563 | Swanson et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6012822 | Robinson | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6012827 | Caplan et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6021525 | Mertins | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6023788 | McCallum et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6028627 | Helmsderfer | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6032291 | Asenguah et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6032293 | Makki | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6056413 | Urso | May 2000 | A |
| D428431 | Jordan | Jul 2000 | S |
| 6086214 | Ridge | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6087037 | Rieder | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6088053 | Hammack et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6094749 | Proctor | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6113243 | Saul | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6113244 | Baumgartner | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6116745 | Yei | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6124056 | Kimura | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6126294 | Koyama et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6167570 | Su | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6168286 | Duffy | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6172657 | Kamakura et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6174075 | Fuwausa | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6206543 | Henry | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6236007 | Ho | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6237147 | Brockman | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6240566 | Scantlin | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6244721 | Rodriguez et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6250769 | Kirk | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6256795 | Habel | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6290368 | Lehrer | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6306538 | Saitoh et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6307526 | Mann | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6311837 | Blaustein et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6320822 | Okeya et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6325521 | Gregg et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6328454 | Davis | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6340234 | Brown, Jr. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6345716 | Chapman | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6347410 | Lee | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6363537 | Park | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6366344 | Lach | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6382407 | Chao | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6386701 | Khulusi | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6390640 | Wong et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6398386 | Huang | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6416199 | Heine | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6431904 | Berelsman | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6442764 | Badillo et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6457838 | Dugmore et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6461015 | Welch | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6461025 | Payne | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6474830 | Hansen | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6476391 | Zhang | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6497493 | Theisen | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6504099 | Huang | Jan 2003 | B2 |
| 6549231 | Matsui | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6553570 | Flynn | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6578982 | Lynch | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6598991 | Altman | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6604837 | Sandberg | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 6616293 | Mickey | Sep 2003 | B2 |
| 6659618 | Waters | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6679615 | Spearing | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6704044 | Foster et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
| 6709142 | Gyori | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6713956 | Hsing Chen et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6715309 | Junkins | Apr 2004 | B1 |
| 6719437 | Lary et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6721962 | Polaire | Apr 2004 | B1 |
| D489165 | Waters | May 2004 | S |
| 6733150 | Hanley | May 2004 | B1 |
| 6760925 | Maxwell | Jul 2004 | B1 |
| 6802636 | Bailey, Jr. | Oct 2004 | B1 |
| 6811441 | Simpson | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6817711 | Schubert | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6830357 | Lopez | Dec 2004 | B2 |
| 6837590 | Marston | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6860628 | Robertson et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
| 6865285 | Villa-Aleman | Mar 2005 | B1 |
| 6908208 | Hyde et al. | Jun 2005 | B1 |
| 6923322 | Lenker | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 6929375 | Satomi | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 6932216 | Blaustein et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 6935761 | Vanderschuit | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 6941583 | Yan | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6966668 | Cugini et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6969178 | Zuloff | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6977776 | Volkenandt et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6993803 | Chan | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 6994445 | Pomes | Feb 2006 | B1 |
| 7000841 | Becker | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7003353 | Parkhouse | Feb 2006 | B1 |
| 7004439 | Taylor et al. | Feb 2006 | B1 |
| 7021790 | Parsons | Apr 2006 | B2 |
| D520460 | Wadsworth et al. | May 2006 | S |
| 7052154 | Vanderschuit | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7086749 | Hanley | Aug 2006 | B1 |
| 7094981 | Sorrentino et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7105939 | Bednyak | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7111956 | Brown | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7118241 | Sohn | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7118262 | Negley | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7128434 | Nally et al. | Oct 2006 | B1 |
| 7147338 | Gregg | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7163309 | Sohn | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7182478 | Marston | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7186159 | Baxter | Mar 2007 | B1 |
| 7192151 | Clupper et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7209652 | Uenaka | Apr 2007 | B2 |
| 7234831 | Hanley | Jun 2007 | B1 |
| D566044 | D'Arco et al. | Apr 2008 | S |
| 7369174 | Olita et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
| 7431472 | Becker | Oct 2008 | B2 |
| 7457536 | Hamada et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
| 7461764 | Thompson | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7470022 | Lerner | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| D591675 | Waters | May 2009 | S |
| 7576800 | Swain | Aug 2009 | B2 |
| D600208 | Waters | Sep 2009 | S |
| 7598928 | Buskop | Oct 2009 | B1 |
| 7609295 | Aridome et al. | Oct 2009 | B2 |
| 7611255 | Lagassey | Nov 2009 | B1 |
| 7661818 | Waters | Feb 2010 | B2 |
| 7677751 | Kinsman et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
| 7753547 | Waters | Jul 2010 | B2 |
| 7784960 | Lahtinen | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| 20010024365 | Aknine | Sep 2001 | A1 |
| 20020131275 | Yamamoto et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
| 20020159250 | Kuo et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| 20020163800 | Hansen | Nov 2002 | A1 |
| 20020186557 | Lary et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
| 20020187806 | Jang | Dec 2002 | A1 |
| 20030079387 | Derose | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20030106918 | Hung | Jun 2003 | A1 |
| 20030122958 | Olita et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
| 20030151910 | Marston | Aug 2003 | A1 |
| 20030169207 | Beigel | Sep 2003 | A1 |
| 20030231489 | Hsiao | Dec 2003 | A1 |
| 20040001150 | Schindler et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20040008157 | Brubaker et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20040085745 | Yoshihara | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040141312 | Henning et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
| 20040165109 | Lee | Aug 2004 | A1 |
| 20040222638 | Bednyak | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20040240067 | Marusi et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20040240204 | Russ et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20040264176 | Vanderschuit | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20050001433 | Seelin | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050047116 | Gagne | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| 20050066422 | Yan | Mar 2005 | A1 |
| 20050072458 | Goldstein | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050078473 | Zuloff | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050083676 | VanderSchuit | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050099799 | Cugini et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
| 20050105285 | Maden | May 2005 | A1 |
| 20050161313 | Sorrentino et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
| 20050174753 | Cao et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
| 20050204490 | Kemp et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050211187 | Harman et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050211574 | Reeve | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050213340 | Suzuki et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050219837 | Brown | Oct 2005 | A1 |
| 20050265015 | Salazar | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20060037125 | McDowell | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060091784 | Connor et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
| 20060092621 | Lai | May 2006 | A1 |
| 20060107952 | Schlosser | May 2006 | A1 |
| 20060125624 | Ostrovsky et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060126323 | Pomes | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060138440 | Jyo | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060141828 | Dean et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060157569 | Becker | Jul 2006 | A1 |
| 20060158895 | Brands et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
| 20060165160 | Winningstad et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
| 20060198122 | Senter et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060215393 | VanderSchuit | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060232955 | Labine | Oct 2006 | A1 |
| 20060239018 | Jardin | Oct 2006 | A1 |
| 20060263677 | Tsai | Nov 2006 | A1 |
| 20060285315 | Tufenkjian | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20060286443 | Huang | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20060291193 | Hill | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20070003826 | Hsu | Jan 2007 | A1 |
| 20070048598 | Huang | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070053179 | Pang et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070058361 | Sevilla | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070064413 | Slater | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070072655 | Cascone | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070074752 | Shau et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070097668 | Choi | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20070140675 | Yanagi | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| 20070145746 | Biamonte | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| 20070153537 | Scott et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20070159810 | Kim | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20070159823 | Ho et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20070171628 | Seade | Jul 2007 | A1 |
| 20070189003 | Daley | Aug 2007 | A1 |
| 20070206373 | Whiteside et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20070236915 | Chen | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20070236916 | Hsu | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20080130272 | Waters | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20080263750 | Chen et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20080266839 | Claypool et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20090147503 | Bennett | Jun 2009 | A1 |
| 20090148149 | Chishima | Jun 2009 | A1 |
| 20090193566 | Waters | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20100214767 | Waters | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20100307931 | Waters | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20100313335 | Waters | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20110122601 | Waters | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110210685 | Liao | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1178576 | Sep 1977 | AU |
| 6310994 | Nov 1994 | AU |
| 199940150 | Feb 2000 | AU |
| 199959545 | Mar 2000 | AU |
| 2002100976 | Jun 2003 | AU |
| 2003100277 | Jul 2003 | AU |
| 2003248016 | Nov 2004 | AU |
| 2029772 | May 1991 | CA |
| 2198625 | Feb 1997 | CA |
| 2184336 | May 1997 | CA |
| 2406450 | Nov 2001 | CA |
| 2466175 | May 2003 | CA |
| 86208973 | Oct 1987 | CN |
| 2173427 | Aug 1994 | CN |
| 2239167 | Nov 1996 | CN |
| 2423761 | Mar 2001 | CN |
| 2433836 | Jun 2001 | CN |
| 2458892 | Nov 2001 | CN |
| 2508592 | Sep 2002 | CN |
| 2544551 | Apr 2003 | CN |
| 1462597 | Dec 2003 | CN |
| 1603677 | Apr 2005 | CN |
| 8230583 | Sep 1983 | DE |
| 29808222 | Nov 1998 | DE |
| 19837151 | Apr 2000 | DE |
| 20007738 | Sep 2000 | DE |
| 29915607 | Sep 2000 | DE |
| 20017922 | Feb 2001 | DE |
| 20020515 | Aug 2001 | DE |
| 20101380 | Aug 2001 | DE |
| 20106261 | Sep 2001 | DE |
| 20111815 | Nov 2001 | DE |
| 10046295 | Mar 2002 | DE |
| 20117740 | Apr 2002 | DE |
| 20201557 | May 2002 | DE |
| 20200058 | Jun 2002 | DE |
| 10103591 | Aug 2002 | DE |
| 20110124 | Aug 2002 | DE |
| 10057388 | Sep 2002 | DE |
| 20209115 | Oct 2002 | DE |
| 20210806 | Oct 2002 | DE |
| 10216152 | Dec 2002 | DE |
| 20209611 | Jan 2003 | DE |
| 20313629 | Dec 2003 | DE |
| 10330589 | Jan 2004 | DE |
| 20319297 | Feb 2004 | DE |
| 20318860 | Apr 2004 | DE |
| 20318949 | Apr 2004 | DE |
| 202004004960 | Sep 2005 | DE |
| 1072204 | Jan 2001 | EP |
| 1374707 | Jan 2004 | EP |
| 1221782 | Jun 1960 | FR |
| 2798721 | Mar 2001 | FR |
| 2824709 | Nov 2002 | FR |
| 2829365 | Mar 2003 | FR |
| 2833068 | Jun 2003 | FR |
| 2833069 | Jun 2003 | FR |
| 2268043 | Jan 1994 | GB |
| 2316293 | Feb 1998 | GB |
| 2358575 | Aug 2001 | GB |
| 2363314 | Dec 2001 | GB |
| 2374401 | Oct 2002 | GB |
| 2378117 | Feb 2003 | GB |
| 2378118 | Feb 2003 | GB |
| 2388298 | Nov 2003 | GB |
| S61-006304 | Jan 1986 | JP |
| 4289602 | Oct 1992 | JP |
| H08-027610 | Jan 1996 | JP |
| H08-298004 | Nov 1996 | JP |
| H09-209210 | Aug 1997 | JP |
| H09-296319 | Nov 1997 | JP |
| H10-081275 | Mar 1998 | JP |
| H10-331019 | Dec 1998 | JP |
| 3084061 | Nov 2001 | JP |
| 2004-207580 | Jul 2004 | JP |
| 2005-216832 | Aug 2005 | JP |
| 2006-097156 | Apr 2006 | JP |
| 20-0164075 | Feb 2000 | KR |
| 200168826 | Feb 2000 | KR |
| 200260980 | Jan 2002 | KR |
| 20020065405 | Aug 2002 | KR |
| 200331201 | Oct 2003 | KR |
| 241462 | Feb 1995 | TW |
| 275188 | May 1996 | TW |
| 286489 | Sep 1996 | TW |
| 324234 | Jan 1998 | TW |
| 329607 | Apr 1998 | TW |
| 386364 | Apr 2000 | TW |
| 9402043 | Feb 1994 | WO |
| 9704434 | Feb 1997 | WO |
| 0244611 | Jun 2002 | WO |
| 02062165 | Aug 2002 | WO |
| 02074398 | Sep 2002 | WO |
| 02077520 | Oct 2002 | WO |
| 03040808 | May 2003 | WO |
| 03047377 | Jun 2003 | WO |
| 03083811 | Oct 2003 | WO |
| 2004000054 | Dec 2003 | WO |
| 2004064555 | May 2004 | WO |
| 2004103104 | Dec 2004 | WO |
| 2005002378 | Jan 2005 | WO |
| 2005005882 | Jan 2005 | WO |
| 2005038337 | Apr 2005 | WO |
| 2005096856 | Oct 2005 | WO |
| 2005098314 | Oct 2005 | WO |
| 2006037845 | Apr 2006 | WO |
| 2006124928 | Nov 2006 | WO |
| 2007073047 | Jun 2007 | WO |
| 2007073219 | Jun 2007 | WO |
| 2007089236 | Aug 2007 | WO |
| 2007093348 | Aug 2007 | WO |
| 2007112338 | Oct 2007 | WO |
| 2008011750 | Jan 2008 | WO |
| 2009079656 | Jun 2009 | WO |
| 2010099504 | Sep 2010 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, or the Declaration from the International Bureau of WIPO for related International Application No. PCT/US2011/034695 dated Oct. 28, 2011, 12 pages. |
| Docket report of Waters Industries, Inc. v. Totes Isotoner Corporation, et al., United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Case No. 1:10-cv-04487 filed Jul. 19, 2010 (4 pages). |
| “Complaint”, Waters Industries, Inc. v. Totes Isotoner Corporation, et al., United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Case No. 1:10-cv-04487 (Docket No. 1, Jul. 19, 2010) (26 pages). |
| Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority and International Search Report from the International Bureau of WIPO for International Application No. PCT/US2006/018968, dated Oct. 16, 2006, 12 pages. |
| Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, or the Declaration from the International Bureau of WIPO for International Application No. PCT/US2008/087542 dated May 4, 2009, 12 pages. |
| Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, or the Declaration from the International Bureau of WIPO for International Application No. PCT/US2010/025689 dated May 4, 2010, 14 pages. |
| Notification of Transmittal of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, or the Declaration from the International Bureau of WIPO for International Application No. PCT/US2011/034686 dated Aug. 1, 2011, 16 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20100313335 A1 | Dec 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61014726 | Dec 2007 | US | |
| 61330185 | Apr 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2008/087542 | Dec 2008 | US |
| Child | 12819067 | US |
