INSERT FOR A HAT

Abstract

A bump cap foam insert for a hat that uses tab and slot structures to form the insert in to a generally conical shape to fit into a hat. The foam insert is constructed by the use of vented radial extensions that extend from a common center and that have a density of about 4 pounds per cubic foot, a thickness of about 0.16″ and a tensile strength of about 90 psi.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

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

BACKGROUND

Bump caps are useful for protecting the wearer's head from bumps, cuts and bruises as a result of a wearer moving and making contact with objects such as overhead pipes, low ceilings and other objects. Bump caps are also somewhat useful to protect a wearer's head from falling or moving objects, though such head protection is often much better supplied by hard hats. Bump caps are most often worn under a personal hat, uniform cap, baseball hat or other non-protective headwear. There are many different types of non-protective headwear, such as the so-called trucker's hat, which tends to be of a taller dimension, and a variety of baseball type hats that can be structured, unstructured, low profile and higher profile. There are also a variety of other personal hats, such as Trilby, Fedora, bucket, cowboy and stocking hats.

Because of the variable dimensions of these hats there is a current and unfulfilled need for a bump cap that can be adjusted to accommodate various hat dimensions. Further, most bump cap inserts are made of hard impact-resistant plastic that supply a good degree of bump protection, for example the 6-panel Ball Cap Shell Insert (https://www.zoro.com/erb-safety-shell-insert-6-panel-ball-cap-19402/i/G5062714/). Though these bump caps provide bump protection, they are not easily adjustable to fit different styles and sizes of hats, are often harder and heavier than need be, and provide little in the way of ventilation.

There is an unfulfilled need for a better ventilated, lighter-duty bump cap that provides bump protection while at the same time better accommodating the variable dimensions of different hat styles.

SUMMARY

An EVA foam bump cap insert is disclosed. The bump cap comprises a plurality of radially arranged extensions that radiate from a common center. Each extension is slotted to provide ventilation channels. Further, when the extensions come together during the bump cap assembly and insertion, further ventilation channels are created. Interlocking tab and slot features are located on certain of the radially arranged extensions and are designed to hold the bump cap insert in shape prior to and during insertion into the hat. The tab and slot configuration also allows for shape support and stability of the insert during use. The radially arranged extensions include indicator marks that guide trimming of the insert if needed for a proper fit. The indicator marks also allow for uniform trimming of the insert. The length of the radially arranged extensions is preferably asymmetrical with longer radially arranged extensions located in the areas of the insert facing forward and shorter radially extensions facing rearward. This design better accommodates different hat styles and hair styles. The insert has integrated indicator marks to identify the front and rear of the insert to assist a user during installation of the bump cap insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a from perspective view of the assembled Insert for a Hat, showing the tab and slot features engaged, venting apertures and the general conical shape.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the assembled Insert for a Hat further showing the asymmetrical rear radial extension and incorporated arch feature.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an Insert for a Hat in its unassembled state.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of the fully assembled Insert for a Hat inserted in to a cap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a preferred embodiment the insert disclosed herein is made of Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) with a density of about 4 pounds per cubic foot, a thickness of about 0.16″ and a tensile strength of about 90 psi. The characteristics of the preferred EVA material may be varied depending on the application environment of the insert. For example, crown portion 12 may be made thicker than one or more of the plurality of radially arranged arms to provide more protection in that area.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 bump cap insert 10 as disclosed herein is depicted. Bump cap insert 10 comprises a plurality of radially arranged extensions 14 that radiate from a common center 27. Each extension has a plurality of venting apertures 36 to provide ventilation between the wearer's head and the hat into which bump cap insert 10 is placed. When radially arranged extensions 14 come together during the assembly of bump cap 10 for insertion additional ventilation apertures 38 are created.

In a preferred embodiment, at least two sets of interlocking tabs and slots are employed. As can be seen in FIG. 3, radial extension 16 is configured with tab 22 and radial extension 20 is configured with tab 28. Radial extension 18 defines slot 24 located on its left perimeter and radial extension 18 defines slot 26 on its right perimeter. As can be seen in FIG. 1 when the bump cap insert is assembled tab 22 engages slot 24 and tab 28 engages slot 26. When the tabs and slots are engaged bump cap insert 10 forms a generally conical shape that conforms generally to the shape of a human head. It is contemplated that more than two pairs of tab and slot connectors can be used in the event a more stable structure is needed for certain hat shapes, for example, or certain applications that requires more structural stability is required.

The radially arranged extensions 14 include trim marks 32 that guide trimming of insert 10 if needed for a proper fit into a hat. Certain hat configurations, for example, maybe too short to allow insert 10 to be fully inserted into the hat without insert 10 being visible beneath the edges of the hat. The preferable multiple trim marks 32 located on each radial extension 14 also allow for more uniform trimming of adjacent radial extensions 14. The user may then trim insert 10 to fit the particular hat such that insert 10 is no longer visible. When used with ball style caps, such as cap 40 shown in FIG. 4, it is useful to be able to tuck the lower perimeter 39 of insert 10 into the internal cuff 42 of cap 40 to promote a stable fit. Trim marks 32 are useful to trim insert 10 to insure insert 10 fits into cap 40 and under internal cuff without any bunching of insert 10 to insure a comfortable and stable fit. The length of radially arranged extensions 14 is preferably asymmetrical with a longer radially arranged extension 18 located in the area of the insert facing forward and a shorter radially extension 13 facing rearward. Rearward facing radial extension 13 defines arch 15 to better accommodate different hat styles and hair styles. Referring to FIG. 4, radial extension 13 is preferably shorter, and defines arch 15, so as not to obstruct opening 44 on cap 40. This allows for different hair styles that fit through opening 44 to do so, unobstructed.

Radial extension 18 is marked with indicator 34 to allow a user to orientate radial extension 18 to the front of the hat, as seen in FIG. 5.

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 foam insert for a hat comprising: a first elongated radial extension having a left perimeter and right perimeter, the first elongated radial extension defining a slot on the left perimeter and the first elongated radial extension defining a slot on the right perimeter;a second elongated radial extension having a left perimeter and a right perimeter, the second elongated radial extension being located left of and adjacent to the first elongated radial extension, the second elongated radial extension having a tab located on the right perimeter, the tab shaped to lock into the slot on the left perimeter of the first elongated radial extension.a third elongated radial extension having a left perimeter and a right perimeter, the third elongated radial extension being located right of and adjacent to the first elongated radial extension, the third elongated radial extension having a tab located on the left perimeter, the tab configured to lock into the slot on the right perimeter of the first elongated radial extension; and,a fourth elongated radial extension have a bottom perimeter, the bottom perimeter defining an arch, the fourth radial extension have a length that is less than the length of the first elongated radial extension.

2. The foam insert for a hat of claim 1 wherein first elongated radial extension has an orientation indicator.

3. The foam insert for a hat of claim 1 wherein at least one elongated radial extension has a plurality of trim notch indicators.

4. The foam insert for a hat of claim 1 further comprising EVA foam that has a density of greater than 3 pounds per cubic foot, a thickness greater than 0.14 inches and a tensile strength greater than 80 psi.

5. The foam insert for a hat of claim 1 wherein the first elongated radial extension has a length greater than the length of the second elongated radial extension and a length greater than the length of the third elongated radial extension.

6. A form insert for a hat, comprising: a plurality of elongated radial extensions that extend from a central crown portion and that have a thickness;a first of one of the plurality of elongated radial extensions defining two slots, one slot on a left perimeter and one slot on a right perimeter;a second of one of the plurality of elongated radial extensions having a tab, the tab configured to mate with either of the slots located on the first of one of the plurality of elongated radial extensions; and,wherein when the tab of the second of one of the plurality of elongated radial extensions is mated with the slot of the first of the plurality of elongated radial extensions, the foam insert for a hat forms a conical shape.

7. The foam insert for a hat of claim 6 wherein the thickness of the plurality of elongated radial extensions is less than a thickness of the crown portion.

8. The foam insert for a hat of claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of elongated radial extensions has a length, and one of the plurality of elongated radial extensions has a length less than any of the other of the plurality of elongated radial extensions.

9. A foam insert for a hat, comprising: a central crown portion;a front elongated radial extension that extends radially from the central crown portion;a rear elongated radial extension that extends radially from the central crown portion;three left side elongated radial extensions that each extend from the central crown portion;three right side elongated radial extensions that each extend from the central crown portion;at least two slots configured to receive tabs and defined in at least one of the elongated radial extensions;at least two tabs configured to mate with the at least two slots, the at least two tabs located on at least one of the elongated radial extensions; and,wherein the front elongated radial extension has a length and the length is longer than a length of any other elongated radial extension.

10. The foam insert for a hat of claim 9 wherein the front elongated radial extension has an orientation indicator.

11. The foam insert for a hat of claim 9 wherein at least three of the elongated radial extension has a plurality of trim notch indicators.