This invention provides the ability to remove, wash and replace a covering for smooth surfaced C shaped headbands.
Most of us are familiar with headbands. They are most associated as a device that a woman or man uses to pull back hair or use as a fashion accessory. These particular types of headbands come in different styles and shapes. A headband can be as simple as a cloth that is wrapped around the head and tied or it is a molded device that may or may not be covered in cloth. Our invention, The Interchangeable Headband Cover, was designed to fit over a molded C Shaped Headband also known as a Horseshoe Shaped Headband.
A C Shaped Headband can be purchased in the store covered with or without cloth. The headbands that have no cloth covering are typically hard plastic. Most headbands that are covered in cloth are done so in such a way that it is permanently attached with an adhesive and is not meant to be removed. The fact that the materials are permanently attached limits the ability of a user to color coordinate and decreases the life expectancy of the headband.
The life expectancy of the headband is limited because the materials become worn. The user of the headband then has the option to discard or keeping using a worn headband.
The Interchangeable Headband Cover offers a solution that allows a user to easily apply and remove a cover to a clothed or unclothed C shaped Headband. This will extend the life of a headband and it will allow a user to have more color options. The Interchangeable Headband Cover is also washable preventing a headband in good condition from being discarded.
After reviewing other patents I have seen different features that make their designs unique. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,611 the band has a cavity on the exterior surface. This cavity holds a device that allows accessories to be attached and removed from a headband. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,274 the invention includes a headband and a removable covering. The design of the cover in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,274 show that cover is applied, removed and seated by a vastly different method than the Interchangeable Headband Cover. It also has a special headband that is used specifically with this cover. The Interchangeable Headband Cover takes an existing band and allows a user to cover it with ease. There are also no complicated parts that are required so that band is securely attached. It stays seated because the tips serve as tension points allowing the cover to conform to the headband securely.
If you review designs for headband covers made specifically for a C shaped head band you will find that it is a cloth that slips on to a headband that is uniform and length and width. The opening or insertion point is slightly above the tip and on the underside of the cover. Also the covers may have insertion points at the tips. A tip insertion point is demonstrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,647.
This is a practical design and it serves the purpose well. However, its design does not solve the problem for headbands that have a greater width at the center than at the tips. It also does not allow the user easily grasp the opposing end and slide the headband in with ease. The Interchangeable Headband Cover was designed with comfort, ease of use, a greater width at the center and overall life span of the cover and the headband in mind.
The Interchangeable Headband Cover will give a classic C Shaped or Horseshoe Shaped headband diversity and be a benefit to a the Interchangeable Headband Cover can be sold with the plastic C shaped headband with various colors of the Interchangeable Headband Cover included. Alternatively the cloth covering can be sold separately from a headband. The options that consumers have increase as a result of the Interchangeable Headband Cover coming to the market place.
Types of C shaped bands and the modifications or coverings can be found in the following patent publications:
U.S. Pat. No. 0,027,245
U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,611
U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,167
U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,647
U.S. Pat. No. 0,202,548
U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,274
U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,647
The Interchangeable Headband Cover is a tool used to cover, protect and provide aesthetic beauty to a headband. The types of headband that are used with this cover are greater in width at the center of the band (which sits on the top of the head) than at the tips. There are no tools and a consumer can use the Interchangeable Headband Cover and apply to headbands that that are not decorated by protruding objects and may or may not have an existing cloth covering.
The invention is a material covering designed to be applied to a C shaped headband that may vary in width around its circumference. The covering is easily applied, removed and reapplied to a C shaped headband without the use of any additional tools. The covering is designed to be interchangeable so that the wearer may use the cover to make their headband more comfortable and attractive.
After the user dresses the existing band the outer fabric lays flat and conforms to the shape of the band. The inner, unexposed area of the Interchangeable Headband Cover also conforms to the band with one insertion point flap overlapping the other. The insertion point has minimal visibility once the cover is applied to the headband and it is seated correctly. The aesthetic nature of the minimally visible insertion point is not of great concern for visual reasons but it does play a role in the comfort and conforming nature of the band. The two tension points at either end of the Interchangeable Headband Cover have a non-visible seam that is in the interior of the band. This hidden seam and overlapping flap design allows the end points of the headband that pinch and cause discomfort behind the ear to be more padded. The headband can fit snuggly without causing unnecessary, painful pressure.
The user inserts the band into the insertion point under one of the flaps located on either side of the center channel. The band is then rotated until centered inside of the Interchangeable Headband Cover's center channel. As the band is rotated and centered it may protrude from the opposing insertion point. After the band is centered in the Interchangeable Headband Cover the tips of the Interchangeable Headband Cover are seated on the tips of the C Shaped headband by opening the insertion point flaps located on right and left sides of the center channel. This allows the user to be able to grasp and manipulate the band until the band is properly covered. It also allows the user to place the end points of the Interchangeable Headband Cover over the tips of the C shaped band. The center channel and the end points of the Interchangeable Headband Cover allows for proper seating and tension. These specific traits of the Interchangeable Headband Cover design allow the fabric to conform to the band on both the visible and non-visible side of the band.