This application relates generally to articles of headwear (e.g., caps) that are selectively convertible from a headwear configuration to a mask configuration.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has made it necessary for most individuals to carry masks and other personal protective equipment anytime they leave their residence. However, it is challenging to keep up with the location of such masks at all times, and individuals are prone to inadvertently leave their masks at home. Further, even when individuals remember their masks, it is inconvenient to travel with masks in pockets, and it is difficult to repeatedly adjust the positioning of masks to complete various activities, such as eating or drinking. There is a need for products that address one or more of these deficiencies.
Described herein, in various aspects, is an article of headwear that is convertible between a headwear configuration and a mask configuration. The headwear can comprise a crown for covering at least a portion of a head of a wearer, a visor, and at least one mask support element coupled to the crown. The crown can have a rear portion and a front portion that cooperate to define a circumference of the crown, and the visor can be attached to the front portion of the crown. From the headwear configuration, at least a portion of the rear portion of the crown can be collapsible into the front portion of the crown to position the headwear in the mask configuration. In the mask configuration, the at least one mask support element can be configured to secure the headwear over a portion of a face of the wearer.
Methods of using the disclosed headwear articles are also described.
Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become more apparent in the detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
The disclosed system and method may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of particular embodiments and the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description.
It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which will be limited only by the appended claims.
It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a support element” includes one or more of such support elements, and so forth.
“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event, circumstance, or material may or may not occur or be present, and that the description includes instances where the event, circumstance, or material occurs or is present and instances where it does not occur or is not present.
Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, also specifically contemplated and considered disclosed is the range from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about.” it will be understood that the particular value forms another, specifically contemplated embodiment that should be considered disclosed unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. Finally, it should be understood that all of the individual values and sub-ranges of values contained within an explicitly disclosed range are also specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. The foregoing applies regardless of whether in particular cases some or all of these embodiments are explicitly disclosed.
Optionally, in some aspects, when values are approximated by use of the antecedents “about,” “substantially,” “approximately,” or “generally.” it is contemplated that values within up to 15%, up to 10%, up to 5%, or up to 1% (above or below) of the particularly stated value or characteristic can be included within the scope of those aspects.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which the disclosed apparatus, system, and method belong. Although any apparatus, systems, and methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present apparatus, system, and method, the particularly useful methods, devices, systems, and materials are as described.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. In particular, in methods stated as comprising one or more steps or operations it is specifically contemplated that each step comprises what is listed (unless that step includes a limiting term such as “consisting of”), meaning that each step is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps that are not listed in the step.
In various aspects, and with reference to
In further aspects, it is contemplated that crown 20 can form a generally hemispherical covering for a head of a wearer, with the visor 31 extending outward in a generally horizontal direction from the crown 20 to shade the face and eyes of the wearer. Optionally, the materials forming crown 20 can extend entirely around a circumference of the head to provide headwear 10 with the appearance of a fitted baseball cap that accommodates an individual with specific head dimensions.
In exemplary aspects, the crown 20 can comprise a plurality of panels 21 that are attached together along abutting sides. Optionally, crown 20 can comprise six panels, such as, for example, two front panels, two side panels, and two rear panels. The various panels 21 can define an exterior surface 22 and an opposite interior surface (not shown). Optionally, in exemplary aspects, the crown 20 can further comprise a button 28 where the panels meet at the top of the crown. Optionally, in further exemplary aspects, the crown 20 can further comprise at least one aperture 49, with each aperture being formed in a respective panel 21 to improve the transfer of air through the crown.
In use, and with reference to
In contrast to conventional headwear (e.g., cap) designs, the disclosed headwear 10 can comprise at least one mask support element 50 coupled to the crown. When the headwear 10 is in the mask configuration, the at least one mask support element can be configured to secure the headwear over a portion of a face of the wearer.
Optionally, in exemplary aspects, and as shown in
Optionally, in exemplary aspects, and as shown in
Optionally, in further exemplary aspects, the at least one mask support element 50 can be configured to be selectively moved (by the wearer) about and between a stowed position (
An exemplary embodiment of the at least one mask support element 50 is shown in
In use, the first and second fasteners 56a, 56b can be configured to couple to respective portions of the band. Although specific examples of the first and second fasteners 56a, 56b are described below, it is contemplated that any fastener configuration that is capable of securely coupling a band to a headwear article as disclosed herein can be used. Exemplary fasteners include buttons, hook-and-look fasteners, snaps, stitching, adhesives, clamps, clasps, pins, hooks, combinations thereof, and the like.
Optionally, the band 52 can define a plurality of openings 54 spaced apart along a length of the band. In some aspects, the plurality of openings 54 can be consistently spaced along substantially the entire length of the band. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the plurality of openings can be formed along only a portion(s) of the length of the band. In exemplary aspects, at least one of the first fastener 56a or the second fastener 56b can comprise a button (or projection) that is configured to be removably received within an opening 54 of the plurality of openings of the band to couple the band to the crown at a selected location along the length of the band. Optionally, in some aspects, it is contemplated that the first fastener 56a can permanently secure the band to the crown, while the second fastener 56b can be configured for receipt within an opening of the band. In these aspects, it is contemplated that the first fastener 56a can comprise stitching or other structure/material that permanently secures the band to a first side of the crown, while the second fastener 56b can comprise a button (or projection) or other fastener that non-permanently couples the band to an opposing second side of the crown, thereby permitting adjustment of the fit of the band over or around a portion of the wearer's head.
As shown in
In further exemplary aspects, and as shown in
In further exemplary aspects, at least a portion of the crown (in particular, at least the rear portion 26 of the crown that contacts portions of the face of the wearer) can comprise antimicrobial material, particularly anti-viral material. In exemplary aspects, it is contemplated that the antimicrobial material can comprise silver, copper, or combinations thereof. In further aspects, and as shown in
In still further exemplary aspects, it is contemplated that the crown can have an elastic base that is configured to conform to a circumference of a head of the wearer, thereby providing a secure fit when the headwear article is in the headwear configuration. In these aspects, when the headwear article is in the mask configuration, it is contemplated that the elastic base structure can be manually displaced from the face of the wearer to provide an opening that permits access to the face of the wearer from under the visor. In use, it is contemplated that displacement of the elastic base to form the opening can advantageously permit unobstructed access to the mouth of the wearer for purposes of eating or drinking without the need for completely exposing the face of the wearer.
Additionally, or alternatively, the visor 31 can be pivotally connected to the crown. For example, in the mask configuration, the visor 31 can be configured to pivot from a closed position that restricts access to the face of the wearer from under the visor to an open position that permits access to the face of the wearer from under the visor. Optionally, with reference to
In exemplary aspects, it is contemplated that the headwear articles can be provided in various sizes (e.g., men's, women's, or children's sizes). Additionally, or alternatively, it is contemplated that the headwear article can include an adjustable closure feature as is known in the art for selectively adjusting the operative size/diameter of the headwear article.
In further exemplary aspects, it is contemplated that the headwear articles can be provided in various styles, including for example, and without limitation, a baseball cap-style headwear article, a visor-style headwear article, and the like. Optionally, in these aspects, the headwear articles can be provided with visors of various dimensions.
In still further exemplary aspects, it is contemplated that the headwear articles can comprise logos and/or graphics. Optionally, in some aspects, such logos and/or graphics can be provided on a portion of the crown of the headwear article, such as, for example, on the front portion 24 of the crown.
In still further exemplary aspects, the crown can optionally comprise an internal storage compartment (not shown) for storing sanitized wipes or other disinfecting components or materials.
In use, when the mask configuration of the headwear is no longer needed or desired, the crown can be removed from the face of the wearer. Then, the crown can be expanded from the mask configuration to the headwear configuration, and the crown can be positioned over a portion of the head of the wearer. It is contemplated that the sequential conversion to and from headwear configuration to mask configuration can be repeated as many times as desired, thereby providing a convenient way to carry and keep up with a mask that serves the dual purpose of a headwear article when not in use.
In exemplary aspects, it is contemplated that kits can be provided for converting conventional headwear articles into headwear articles as disclosed herein, which can selectively transition between headwear and mask configurations. For example, such conversion kits can comprise at least one mask support element 50 and at least one fastener (optionally, at least two fasteners) that couples (optionally, permanently secures) the at least one mask support element 50 to the crown of the headwear article. Examples of such fasteners are further disclosed herein and include, for example, and without limitation, a quantity of thread (for sewing), a quantity of adhesive, a snap fastener, hook-and-loop fastener material, a button, a clip, a clamp, a hook, a loop, combinations thereof, or other suitable fasteners that are capable of functioning as disclosed herein. Examples of such mask support elements are further disclosed herein and include, for example, a band, a strap, a lanyard, and the like. Optionally, in some aspects, the fasteners of the kit can comprise at least one fastener configured to be associated with the crown of the headwear article and at least one fastener associated with the at least one mask support element and configured to complementarily engage the fastener(s) associated with the crown. In further aspects, it is contemplated that the disclosed kits can further comprise a manual or pamphlet having instructions for modifying the structure of the headwear article to permit conversion between a headwear configuration and a mask configuration as further disclosed herein. Such manuals or pamphlets can provide instructions concerning the locations for placement of respective fasteners, the methods for securing the respective fasteners to the headwear article, and methods for attaching, removing, and/or adjusting the mask support elements to permit conversion between the headwear and mask configurations and allow for adjustment of fit. In some aspects, it is contemplated that the kits can comprise a plurality of different types, styles, and/or colors of fasteners and/or a plurality of different types, styles, and/or colors of mask support elements to allow the wearer to customize the look and performance of the headwear article.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of the following patent applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/091,016, filed Oct. 13, 2020; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/180,974, filed Apr. 28, 2021. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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