Headwear Assembly

Abstract

The presented invention is a bump cap. The bump cap has a hinged rear section that pivots away from the body of the bump cap to allow hair or other headwear to leave the bump cap. The bump cap insert is ventilated and adjustable through trim notches and flex joints to accommodate various heads shapes and hair styles.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to protective headwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to a durag allowing for a bump cap insert.

BACKGROUND

Bump caps are useful for protecting the wearer's head from bumps, cuts and bruises as a result of contact with objects such as overhead pipes, low ceilings and other objects. They are most often worn under a personal hat, uniform cap, baseball hat or other non-protective headwear.

The durag, which is headwear that is traditionally made of fabric, fits close to the head and provides some relief from the heat by the ability to absorb perspiration. (Garcia, Sandra E. (2018, May, 14). “The Durag, Explained”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331). Because of its soft fabric nature, the durag in particular provides no protection to a wearer from head impacts of any kind. There is a current and unfulfilled need for a bump cap insert that can be adjusted to accommodate insertion into a durag or other headwear, and the need for a durag that is able to receive a bump cap insert, and a bump cap insert that can also accommodate long hair.

SUMMARY

The headwear assembly disclosed herein provides a durag that is configured to accept a bump cap insert. The bump cap insert is flexible, vented and trimmable to allow for variation in the user's head shape to allow for a comfortable fit while still providing some degree of safety from impacts to the head. The durag also comprises a hair shoot that will accommodate those with long hair, as it allows a user to funnel hair into the tube and away from direct contact with the users back, and retains the hair safely within the durag. The bump cap insert comprises a rear facing hinged section that is hinged proximate the crown of the bump cap insert. This allows for a user that desires to funnel hair into the hair shoot of the durag to push the hair through the hinged section of the bump cap insert and then into the hair shoot of the durag.

This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or describe each embodiment, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a portion of the invention showing in particular the hair shoot functioning to funneling hair out from the durag head section.

FIG. 2 is a right elevation view showing a preferred embodiment of a portion of the headwear system depicting the extended headband ties and hair shoot of the durag.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of a preferred embodiment of a portion of the invention depicting in particular the zippered enclosure for the bump cap insert pocket, the extended headband ties and the hair shoot.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the entrance to the hair shoot is indicated at 22.

FIG. 5 is top perspective view of the headwear system showing the crown portion of the durag with the zipper for the bump cap insert enclosure depicted.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a portion of the headwear system showing the exit of the hair shoot.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the bump cap insert portion of the headwear system showing in particular the hinge and the rear hinged section.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the bump cap insert portion of the headwear system showing in particular the rear hinged section in a flexed position.

FIG. 9 is a close up of a preferred embodiment of a portion of the headwear system depicting the crown portion of the bump cap insert showing in particular the hinge for the rear hinged section.

FIG. 10 is a left elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a portion of the headwear system showing the bump cap insert depicting in particular the hinged rear section in a neutral or closed position.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of a portion of the headwear system showing the bump cap insert and in particular the cushion insert.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a portion of the headwear system showing in particular the bump cap insert pocket zipper unzipped, the bump cap insert pocket laid open exposing the bump cap insert.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology that many uses and design variations are possible for the durag and bump cap disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of the preferred embodiment will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to the disclosed durag and bump cap. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1-6 depict durag 10 of the headwear assembly disclosed herein. Durag 10 comprises headband 16 that is preferably integrated into durag 10. Headband 16 further comprises extended headband straps 18 and 20 that allow for a wide range of adjustment to secure durag 10 to a user's head in a comfortable and safe manner. Headband straps 18 and 20 are each preferably greater than 9″ in length, but less than 15″ in length. Durag 10 further preferably comprises crown portion 13 and zipper 12. Zipper 12 preferably bisects crown portion 13 from front to back. Zipper 12 serves to provide access to pocket 11 (see FIG. 12). Pocket 11 is located under crown portion 13 and is sized to accommodate bump cap insert 100 (see FIGS. 7-12). Durag 10 is preferably made of a 4-way stretchable material to best accommodate bump cap insert 100 and a wide range of head and hair shapes. Durag 10 also comprises hair shoot 14 which preferably of tubular construction. Hair shoot 14 allows hair 15 and/or other head coverings to be funneled (see element 22) away from the users head, and off the user's back, for comfort and safety.

FIGS. 7-12 depict bump cap insert 100. Bump cap insert 100 is preferably injection molded from a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other rigid materials that have at least some flexibility may also be used. Bump cap insert 100 comprises rear panel hinge 102 and rear panel 104. Rear panel 104 is preferably hinged by rear panel hinge 102 at the top perimeter of rear panel 104 and preferably in a rear portion of crown region 107. Rear panel hinge 102 is preferably a living hinge. As can be seen when comparing FIGS. 8 and 10, rear panel 104 is permitted to rotate on rear panel hinge 102. This allows rear panel 104 to rotate about rear panel hinge 102 to provide space for long hair, or other headwear, to exit bump cap insert 100 without having to make room under bump cap insert 100 for the same. This also allows bump cap insert 100 to continue to provide impact protection even with hair or other headwear exiting the main body of bump cap insert 100. When bump cap insert 100 is inserted in durag 10, the exiting hair or other headwear may then be funneled down hair shoot 14 to contain the same for safety and comfort.

Though bump cap insert 100 is particularly suited for use in durag 10, it should be recognized that, because of its highly conformable design, it is a useful bump cap insert under a variety of headwear.

Bump cap insert 100 further comprises a plurality of flex joints 140. Flex joints 140 serve to permit deformation of bump cap insert 100 while maintaining a general protective shell. This allows the shape of bump cap insert 100 to safely conform to different head shapes and hair styles while still providing impact protection. The deformation is assisted by rear wings 170 and 175, the flexibility of which are enabled by flex joints 140. When used in a smaller hat or on a smaller head, rear wings 170 and 175 can come together, or even overlap, to conform bump cap insert 100 to smaller head shapes, hat styles or hair styles. Rear wings 170 and 175 may also overlap rear panel 104 for additional size adjustment. The flexibly of bump cap insert 100 is also enabled by flex joints 140 as they define substantial portions of front panel 110, allowing for any needed flexing of front panel 110 to accommodate a user's head shape, hair style or hat style.

Bump cap insert 100 preferably comprises trim notches 119, 120, 121, 122, 124, 126, 127, 129 and 130. These trim notches are located generally along the lower perimeter of bump cap insert 100 and allow for further size customization of bump cap insert 100. Each section defined by a trim notch can be trimmed off at the notch to shorten or modify bump cap insert 100 to accommodate the needs of a user. Trim notch 126, located on the lower perimeter of rear panel 104, is useful when trimmed off to allow more space for larger quantities of hair or headwear to exit bump cap insert 100. Trim notches 127-130 are particularly useful when trim notch 126 is trimmed by allowing the option to further increase the opening around rear panel 104 to allow more room for hair or headwear to exit bump cap insert 100, if needed.

Bump cap insert 100 further comprises a plurality of vent ridges 106, each vent ridge 106 comprising a plurality of vent apertures 108. It is preferred the vent ridges and vent apertures are distributed uniformly on bump cap crown portion 107 and rear panel 104 to allow for efficient ventilation of bump cap insert 100. The other portions of bump cap insert 100 are also preferably ventilated via vent apertures 105.

Referring to FIG. 11, insert 149 is preferably constructed of a flexible foam material and is preferably attached by adhesive to the underside of bump cap insert 100. Insert notches 156 and 158 align with flex joints 140 to allow insert section 160 of insert 149 to move in concert with rear panel 104 via rear panel hinge 102. The foam of insert 149 preferably has an elastic property that urges section 160 and rear panel 104 into a closed or neutral position (see FIG. 10). Stability is thus added to rear panel 104 and secures the hair or headwear exiting bump cap insert 100 through rear section 104. Insert 149 further preferably comprises a plurality of insert slits 162 will allow venting access to vent apertures 108. Section 150 of insert 149 is defined by insert notches 152 and 154. Notches 152 and 154 allow font panel 110 to flex with insert 149. Insert 149 is preferably greater than 2″ in width but less than 5″ in width. The length of insert 149 is preferably greater than 9″ but less than 14″.

Bump cap insert 100 also preferably comprises slots 180, 182, 184 and 186. These slots may be used to secure the bump cap insert 100 to an additional shell, a sweat band, a chin strap, or other accessory, via straps (not shown).

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention.

For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

Claims

1. A bump cap comprising: a crown section, a front section, a rear section, a right section, a left section, a right rear wing section, a left rear wing section;the crown section comprising a plurality of raised channels, each raised channel defining a plurality of vent apertures;the front section defining a plurality of raised spacing ridges and comprising a trim notch at a lower perimeter;the right section defining a plurality of vent apertures and comprising a trim notch at a lower perimeter;the left section defining a plurality of vent apertures and comprising a trim notch at a lower perimeter;the left wing section being defined by a upper flex joint and a lower flex joint, the left wing section further comprising a trim notch at a distal end;the right wing section being defined by a upper flex joint and a lower flex joint, the left wing section further comprising a trim notch at a distal end;the rear section defining a plurality of vent apertures and being pivotally connected to the crown portion at a top perimeter; andwherein the rear section is able to pivot away from the crown section.

2. The bump cap of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection is a live hinge.

3. The bump cap of claim 1 wherein the left and right sections each further define at least two elongated strap apertures.

4. The bump cap of claim 1 further comprising an interior section, the interior section having an insert, wherein the insert has elastic properties sufficient to urge the rear panel into a neutral position from a pivoted away position.

5. A bump cap comprising: a bump cap having a front visor section, an underside, a hinged rear panel, the hinged rear panel having at least a neutral and an extended position;a crown, the crown having a top side, the crown top portion having at least three distinct ridge sections extending therefrom, each of the at least three distinct ridge sections defining at least 4 vent apertures; andan insert coupled to the bump cap underside, the insert in secure contract with the hinged rear panel and the crown, wherein the insert has elastic properties sufficient to urge the rear panel into the neutral position from the extended position.

6. A bump cap comprising: a crown section, a visor section, a rear section, a right section, a left section;the crown section comprising a plurality of raised channels, each raised channel defining a plurality of vent apertures;the front section defining a plurality of raised spacing ridges;the right section defining a plurality of vent apertures;the left section defining a plurality of vent apertures; andthe rear section defining a plurality of vent apertures, the rear section being pivotally connected to the crown portion at a top perimeter of the rear section, the pivotally attached rear section having a neutral position and an extended position in relation to the crown section.

7. The bump cap of claim 6 wherein when the rear section is in its extended position, the pivotal connection is configured to urge the rear section into its neutral position.

8. The bump cap of claim 6 wherein the left and right sections each further define at least two elongated strap apertures.