Patent Application
20240358107
The present invention relates generally to the field of interchangeable and multifunctional hat devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an interchangeable brim and back clasp for a hat with a multifunction of becoming a watch band. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in interchangeable hat devices. Generally, hats can become easily stained and ruined. Further, hats are hard to launder back to new once stained and typically must be discarded. Additionally, washing a hat containing stains often results in the hat becoming bent and unable to be worn.
Hat wearers often purchase a wide range of hats to provide a large variety of options for accenting an appearance. For example, many hat wearers often buy hats of various color schemes to match various outfits or to portray support for or affiliation with a particular idea, group, person, or organization on a particular occasion. Additionally, hat wearers often purchase hats adorned with a wide range of insignia, logos, icons, or word phrases to suit a particular occasion or preference. Some hats may include images and names marketing a particular brand of product. Others portray the name, emblem, or mascot of a particular sports team. The wide range of colors and decorations available leads many hat wearers to purchase large amounts of hats, which can create cost and storage issues.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an interchangeable hat device that allows a user to change the brim and back clasp with case. More particularly, there is a demand for an interchangeable and multifunctional hat device that prevents favorite, old hats from being thrown away and eliminates the need to purchase many different styles of hats.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that provides users with an interchangeable brim and back clasp of a hat. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that features a slide or snap brim for case of changing hat colors and styles. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that eliminates having to purchase different style hats for different attires or occasions. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents favorite, old, or stained hats from being thrown away. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that allows for endless opportunities of easily changing appearance when wearing a hat. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that allows a user to wash and store their hats easier.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an interchangeable hat device. The device is a ballcap with a removable and interchangeable brim. The interchangeable hat device comprises a body component with an interchangeable brim component and back clasp component. The brim component can be removably attached to the body component via snap closures or a sliding mechanism. Thus, the brim component can either slide or snap into place on the base of the body component, allowing the hat device to change colors and styles, to go with any attire. The interchangeable hat device would also allow users to wash and store their hats much easier.
In this manner, the interchangeable hat device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that provides an interchangeable brim and back clasp of a hat. The brim component of the device can either feature a slide or snap for ease of changing brims. The device would be available in a variety of colors and styles.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an interchangeable hat device. The device is a ballcap with a removable and interchangeable brim. The interchangeable hat device comprises a body component with an interchangeable brim component and back clasp component. The brim component can be removably attached to the body component and a new brim component can be secured, allowing the hat device to change colors and styles, to go with any attire. The interchangeable hat device would also allow users to wash and store their hats much easier.
In one embodiment, the interchangeable hat device enables a hat user to personally customize the appearance of a hat by choosing between and implementing a variety of interchangeable components. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure include a hat with one or more of the following components being removable and therefore interchangeable: a brim component and/or a back clasp component. Accordingly, a user of a hat with interchangeable components according to the present disclosure may pick and choose between brim components, back clasp components, and/or logos of various colors, designs, and markings. For example, when a user of a hat according to one of the embodiments herein attends a particular event, the user may choose a particular logo and/or particular colors to display in support of the event, a particular sports team, or any message or theme that the user wishes to convey, etc.
In one embodiment, the interchangeable hat device comprises a baseball cap with interchangeable components. Other embodiments include hats of various shapes and styles, such as, but not limited to, cycling caps, skull caps, beanies, visors, etc. Further, the baseball cap comprises a hat with a body component, a brim component, and a back clasp component. Embodiments of the interchangeable hat device can include any combination of interchangeable components, such as interchangeable brim components and/or interchangeable back clasp components. Each interchangeable back clasp component can include various colors, shapes, and designs, as desired by consumers. Additionally, each interchangeable brim component can include any design, graphic, image, phrase, color, monogram, emblem, mascot, picture, shape, style, etc., as desired by consumers. With a variety of interchangeable components at their disposal, consumers can extensively customize a hat or baseball cap by interchanging the various interchangeable components without the need to buy multiple completed hats or baseball caps.
In one embodiment, the interchangeable hat device comprises a body component comprising a plurality of interconnected panels, the panels forming a hemispherical dome or crown with a crown apex, a lower peripheral edge forming a headband at a lower extremity of the crown, a front face spanning from the lower peripheral edge to the crown apex, and a rear opening defined by a gap in the lower peripheral edge opposite the front face of the crown. The gap in the lower peripheral edge is secured via the back clasp component, to make the body component adjustable on a user's head. In one embodiment, one or more panels can form a partial crown with an open crown apex to create a visor configuration with increased ventilation and having any combination of interchangeable brim components, back clasp components, and/or logos. In another embodiment, the lower peripheral edge has a sweatband attached on an interior surface thereof, the sweatband is constructed of an absorbent material configured to absorb and or wick the sweat of the hat user.
In one embodiment, the body component includes a lower peripheral edge with a complete circumference, such that there is no gap defining a rear opening and thus no need for a back clasp component. Embodiments without the back clasp component would be fitted to the hat user either by appropriate sizing of the lower peripheral edge or via an elastic headband or sweatband being integrated with the lower peripheral edge. Embodiments that do include the back clasp component would have the advantages of adjustability and customizability, but some hat users may prefer to purchase a fitted cap without the rear opening.
In one embodiment, the body component includes a brim component that is removably attached to the body component, adjacent to the lower peripheral edge and front face, with the brim component extending away from the front face. The brim component is shaped and sized to resemble a conventional hat brim and comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer edge, and an inner edge, wherein the inner edge connects to the lower peripheral edge and front face of the body component. Embodiments can also include a back clasp component that is removably attached to the body component adjacent to the lower peripheral edge and the rear opening.
In one embodiment, the brim components and the back clasp components can be selectively removable from the body component by means of various attachment interfaces as disclosed herein. By way of example, but without limitation, embodiments of various attachment interfaces can include, but are not limited to, snap closures, a slide mechanism, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, buttons, or corresponding magnetic materials integrated within the components, etc., and any other suitable attachment interfaces as is known in the art.
In one embodiment, the brim component utilizes a slide mechanism, wherein the brim component includes an attachment tab configured to removably attach to the body component by sliding into the brim attachment track that is integrated within the lower peripheral edge adjacent to the front face of the body component. The rigid attachment tab ensures that the brim component has adequate support to maintain the brim component at an angle that is substantially orthogonal to the front face and lower peripheral edge of the body component. Additionally, the brim attachment track includes a channel that corresponds in shape and size to allow for the attachment tab to slide within the channel to removably attach to the brim attachment track. Thus, the interchangeable brim component with the attachment tab configured to slidably connect to the brim attachment track and channel are concealed from view, particularly when the interchangeable hat device is worn by a consumer. Accordingly, the interchangeable hat device has a similar appearance to a common baseball cap without interchangeable parts when worn by a user.
Some embodiments can additionally or alternatively include the interchangeable back clasp component that is configured to be selectively removable from the body component. For example, this embodiment can include one or more strap attachment tracks connected to the body component adjacent to the lower peripheral edge and rear opening. Thus, the interchangeable back clasp component can include one or more attachment tabs configured to slide into or otherwise removably attach to the corresponding one or more strap attachment tracks or channels on the body component. Embodiments of the back clasp component can include any shape, style, or functional design of hat fasteners or back clasps, such as, but not limited to, traditional back clasps, snap closures, elastic cloth of adjustable or fixed lengths, straps with hook and loop fasteners, etc. Further, in one embodiment, the back clasp component can be multifunctional and utilized as a watch band.
In another embodiment, the brim component utilizes a plurality of snap closures, such that the brim component includes snap closures attached to an edge of the brim component with corresponding mating snap closures integrated within the lower peripheral edge adjacent to the front face of the body component. The snap closures ensure that the brim component has adequate support to maintain the brim component at an angle that is substantially orthogonal to the front face and lower peripheral edge of the body component. Additionally, the plurality of snap closures are concealed from view, particularly when the interchangeable hat device is worn by a consumer. Accordingly, the interchangeable hat device has a similar appearance to a common baseball cap without interchangeable parts when worn by a user.
In one embodiment, the body component comprises a plurality of snap closures to removably attach the back clasp component to the body component of the hat device. Embodiments can thus include snap closures attached to the body component adjacent to the rear opening and lower peripheral edge on either an inside surface of the body component, an outside surface of the body component, or a combination of each, as well as snap closures attached to the corresponding ends of the back clasp component.
In one embodiment, the interchangeable hat device can be manufactured as a kit. The kit may include a single body component and a plurality of brim components and back clasp components of different colors and styles. A user can removably secure any of the brim components and/or back clasp components as desired to the body component, creating a variety of different hat styles.
In yet another embodiment, the interchangeable hat device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of interchanging the brim and back clasp of hats is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an interchangeable hat device comprising a body component with an interchangeable brim component and back clasp component. The method also comprises choosing the color and style of the brim component wanted. Further, the method comprises securing the brim component to the body component via snaps or sliding mechanism. The method also comprises securing a coordinating back clasp to the body component via snaps or sliding mechanism. Finally, the method comprises utilizing the hat with the interchangeable brim component and back clasp component secured, as a conventional hat.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that provides users with an interchangeable brim and back clasp of a hat. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that features a slide or snap brim for case of changing hat colors and styles. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that eliminates having to purchase different style hats for different attires or occasions. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents favorite, old, or stained hats from being thrown away. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that allows for endless opportunities of easily changing appearance when wearing a hat. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an interchangeable hat device that allows a user to wash and store their hats easier.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel interchangeable hat device. The interchangeable hat device comprises a body component with an interchangeable brim component and back clasp component. The brim component can be removably attached to the body component via snap closures or a sliding mechanism. Thus, the brim component can either slide or snap into place on the base of the body component, allowing the hat device to change colors and styles, to go with any attire. The present invention also includes a novel method of interchanging the brim and back clasp of hats. The method includes the steps of providing an interchangeable hat device comprising a body component with an interchangeable brim component and back clasp component. The method also comprises choosing the color and style of the brim component wanted. Further, the method comprises securing the brim component to the body component via snaps or sliding mechanism. The method also comprises securing a coordinating back clasp to the body component via snaps or sliding mechanism. Finally, the method comprises utilizing the hat with the interchangeable brim component and back clasp component secured, as a conventional hat which can also multifunction, where the back clasp can detach from the hat and become a watch band.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Furthermore, the interchangeable hat device 100 enables a hat user to personally customize the appearance of a hat by choosing between and implementing a variety of interchangeable components 104 and 106. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure include a hat with one or more of the following components being removable and therefore interchangeable: a brim component 104 and/or a back clasp component 106. Accordingly, a user of a hat with interchangeable components according to the present disclosure may pick and choose between brim components 104, back clasp components 106, and/or logos of various colors, designs, and markings. For example, when a user of a hat according to one of the embodiments herein attends a particular event, the user may choose a particular logo and/or particular colors to display in support of the event, a particular sports team, or any message or theme that the user wishes to convey, etc.
Accordingly, the interchangeable hat device 100 comprises a baseball cap with interchangeable components 104 and 106. Other embodiments include hats of various shapes and styles, such as, but not limited to, cycling caps, skull caps, beanies, visors, etc. Further, the baseball cap (i.e., hat device 100) comprises a hat with a body component 102, a brim component 104, and a back clasp component 106. Embodiments of the interchangeable hat device 100 can include any combination of interchangeable components, such as interchangeable brim components 104 and/or interchangeable back clasp components 106. Each interchangeable back clasp component 106 can include various colors, shapes, and designs, as desired by consumers. Additionally, each interchangeable brim component 104 can include any design, graphic, image, phrase, color, monogram, emblem, mascot, picture, shape, style, etc., as desired by consumers. With a variety of interchangeable components 104 and 106 at their disposal, consumers can extensively customize a hat or baseball cap by interchanging the various interchangeable components 104 and 106 without the need to buy multiple completed hats or baseball caps.
Generally, the interchangeable hat device 100 comprises a body component 102 comprising a plurality of interconnected panels 108, the panels 108 forming a hemispherical dome or crown 110 with a crown apex 112, a lower peripheral edge 114 forming a headband at a lower extremity of the crown 110, a front face 116 spanning from the lower peripheral edge 114 to the crown apex 112, and a rear opening 118 defined by a gap 120 in the lower peripheral edge 114 opposite the front face 116 of the crown 110. The gap 120 in the lower peripheral edge 114 is secured via the back clasp component 106, to make the body component 102 adjustable on a user's head. In one embodiment, one or more panels 108 can form a partial crown 122 with an open crown apex 124 to create a visor configuration with increased ventilation and having any combination of interchangeable brim components 104, back clasp components 106, and/or logos. In another embodiment, the lower peripheral edge 114 has a sweatband 126 attached on an interior surface 128 thereof, the sweatband 126 being constructed of an absorbent material configured to absorb and or wick the sweat of the hat user.
Furthermore, the body component 102 includes a lower peripheral edge 114 with a complete circumference, such that there is no gap 120 defining a rear opening 118 and thus no need for a back clasp component 106. Embodiments without the back clasp component 106 would be fitted to the hat user either by appropriate sizing of the lower peripheral edge 114 or via an clastic headband or sweatband 126 being integrated within the lower peripheral edge 114. Embodiments that do include the back clasp component 106 would have the advantages of adjustability and customizability, but some hat users may prefer to purchase a fitted cap without the rear opening 118.
Additionally, the body component 102 includes a brim component 104 that is removably attached to the body component 102, adjacent to the lower peripheral edge 114 and front face 116, with the brim component 104 extending away from the front face 116. The brim component 104 is shaped and sized to resemble a conventional hat brim and comprises an upper surface 130, a lower surface 132, an outer edge 134, and an inner edge 136, wherein the inner edge 136 connects to the lower peripheral edge 114 and front face 116 of the body component 102. Embodiments can also include a back clasp component 106 that is removably attached to the body component 102 adjacent to the lower peripheral edge 114 and the rear opening 118.
As shown in
It should be understood that, for the purposes of the present disclosure, the terms “magnetic materials” and “magnets” and the like are to be interpreted broadly so as to include any corresponding pairs of materials that attach to one another via a magnetic force. For example, some embodiments may include a magnetized piece of material corresponding to a ferrous material. For the purposes of the embodiments disclosed herein, such materials may be interchanged with one another so long as a similar result is achieved, namely, so long as the brim component 104 and/or back clasp component 106 can be magnetically attached to the body component 102 as intended.
Additionally, the interchangeable hat device 100 can be manufactured as a kit 202. The kit 202 may include a single body component 102 and a plurality of brim components 104 and back clasp components 106 of different colors and styles. A user can removably secure any of the brim components 104 and/or back clasp components 106 as desired to the body component 102, creating a variety of different hat styles. As a result, the appearance or ornamental character of the hat device 100 can be changed completely by removing a brim component 104 and replacing it with another. For example, with a kit 202 having seven different brim components 104, an apparently different hat can be worn each day of the week. However, in order to provide a user with the most flexibility in wardrobe design, it may be desirable to offer the brim components 104/back clasp components 106, and the body component 102 as separate items. That is, after a user has purchased the body component 102, brim component 104, and back clasp component 106 of the present invention, he or she may purchase additional decorative brim components 104 and/or back clasp components 106 to change the appearance of the previously purchased hat device 100.
As shown in
For purposes of the present invention, references to ornamentation or ornamental elements refers to any and all visible characteristics of the components discussed herein. These terms may refer to the color, texture, pattern, decoration, or design of the body component 102 and/or the brim component 104. Also included are physically separate elements, such as patches, beads, stones, buttons, feathers, fur, etc., which may be attached to the components. Ornamentation includes any combination of such characteristics or elements. For example, the components may have sports team logos, school logos, work logos, animal patterns, geometric designs, etc. The components may also have a fuzzy surface, i.e., imitation fur, with a black and white color pattern, or any other suitable ornamentation as is known in the art.
In yet another embodiment, the interchangeable hat device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 300. The body component 102, brim component 104, and/or back clasp component 106 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the components 102, 104, 106, or any other indicia 300 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 300 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be hat, brim, or brand related.
As shown in
Furthermore, the body component 102 comprises a plurality of snap closures 400 to removably attach the back clasp component 106 to the body component 102 of the hat device 100. Embodiments can thus include snap closures 400 attached to the body component 102 adjacent to the rear opening 118 and lower peripheral edge 114 on either an inside surface 128 of the body component 102, and outside surface 404 of the body component 102, or a combination of each, as well as snap closures 400 attached to the corresponding ends 406 of the back clasp component 106.
As shown in
Furthermore, some embodiments can additionally or alternatively include the interchangeable back clasp component 106 that is configured to be selectively removable from the body component 102. For example, this embodiment can include one or more strap attachment tracks 504 connected to the body component 102 adjacent to the lower peripheral edge 114 and rear opening 118. Thus, the interchangeable back clasp component 106 can include one or more attachment tabs 502 configured to slide into or otherwise removably attach to the corresponding one or more strap attachment tracks 504 and channels 506 on the body component 102. Embodiments of the back clasp component 106 can include any shape, style, or functional design of hat fasteners or back clasps, such as, but not limited to, traditional back clasps, snap closures, elastic cloth of adjustable or fixed lengths, straps with hook and loop fasteners, etc. Further, in one embodiment, the back clasp component 106 can be multifunctional and utilized as a watch band 503. Thus, the interchangeable back clasp component 106 can be removed from the body component 102 and secured to a watch face 505 to act as a watch band 503. As a watch band 503, the back clasp component 106 can be secured via any suitable securing means as is known in the art.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users, may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “interchangeable hat device”, “hat device”, “interchangeable device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the interchangeable hat device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interchangeable hat device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the interchangeable hat device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/462,359, which was filed on Apr. 27, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63462359 | Apr 2023 | US |
