Patent Application
20140373258
The invention relates to the field of headwear and more particularly winter and extreme weather hats that are modular and contain several elements that can be attached and detached.
Warm winter clothing, including hats, is essential for the comfortable enjoyment of winter sports and outdoor activities. If the temperature is sufficiently low, a hat that covers the ears is preferable; if it is even lower, a face mask that also covers the face is preferable. Furthermore, headwear is also useful for protection from other forms of extreme weather, such as strong wind or rain.
There are many winter hats on the market that include ear protection, and balaclavas or face masks that also include face protection; however, those hats can be overly warm when the temperature rises. Depending on the activity and the weather, a user may require a full face mask in the morning, and only a simple hat in the afternoon. This means that for comfortable enjoyment of an extreme-weather activity, a user may have to carry several hats of different level of warmth. While it is theoretically possible to carry a separate face mask, the gaps between the face mask and the hat may let in cold air and snow and make it uncomfortable for the user.
Furthermore, a user may need a hat to which other modules may be attached—for example, ski goggles, a helmet shell, headphones, safety lights, or the microphone for a walkie-talkie.
A need therefore exists for a modular hat system that can be changed from a simple hat that protects the head, to a hat that also protects the ears, to a hat with a face mask that also protects the face, and which can also have other modules attached to it in a removable manner.
An object of the present invention is to provide a modular hat that may be customized to meet the needs of the user at a given time and in given weather conditions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular hat comprising a head covering unit, at least one ear covering unit that covers at least one of the user's ears, and a face covering unit, all of which are removably attached to each other. The ear covering unit preferably covers both ears and the back of the user's neck, and attaches to the head covering unit by a zipper that extends over the entire length of the ear covering unit and part of the circumference of the head covering unit.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the face covering unit comprises a left half and a right half, the two halves joined together by a zipper at the front of the user's face. When the face covering unit is not needed, it may be stowed away at the back of the user's head by unzipping the zipper, folding up each half individually, and fastening them to the back of the head covering unit in a folded position by means of a fastener such as a Velcro strap or a strap with a snap.
In one embodiment of the invention, the modular hat also comprises a scarf removably attached to the head covering unit, the ear covering unit, or the face covering unit. The attachment means may be snaps, buttons, zippers, Velcro, or any other fastener capable of securely attaching the scarf.
In one embodiment of the invention, the modular hat also comprises ski goggles removably attached to the head covering unit, the face covering unit, or both. The attachment means may be snaps, zippers, buttons, Velcro, or any other fastener capable of securely attaching the ski goggles.
In one embodiment of the invention, the modular hat also comprises a visor removably attached to the head covering unit. The attachment means may be snaps, zippers, buttons, Velcro, or any other fastener capable of securely attaching the visor.
In one embodiment of the invention, the modular hat also comprises a helmet shell removably attached to the head covering unit and possibly also to the ear covering unit. The helmet shell may attach on the inside or the outside of the head covering unit and ear covering unit. The attachment means may be snaps, zippers, buttons, Velcro, or any other fastener capable of securely attaching the helmet shell.
In other embodiments of the invention, the modular hat may also comprise various communication, safety, and/or entertainment modules, such as headphones, Bluetooth headsets, walkie-talkie microphones, GPS modules, safety lights, and so on. These modules are also removably attached to the modular hat by fasteners such as snaps, zippers, buttons, Velcro, or any other fasteners suitable for the purpose.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention.
As shown in
Scarf unit 130 is preferably attached to the back of the ear covering unit 110 by fasteners. The fasteners may be snaps, buttons, Velcro, or any other removable fastener. The scarf unit 130 may also be attached to the back of the head covering unit 100 instead of the ear covering unit 110.
The mask unit 120 is preferably attached to the back of the head covering unit 100 by fasteners 125, as shown in
In an alternate embodiment shown in
In an alternate embodiment shown in
In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the modular hat may be shaped and sized in such a way as to allow a helmet insert to be placed inside the hat, so that the user's head can be protected during more dangerous winter sports. Helmet insert is placed inside the head covering unit and the ear covering unit, and fastened to both of them by fasteners. In an alternate embodiment, the helmet insert may be placed on the outside of the head covering unit and the ear covering unit and fastened to both of them by fasteners. In that embodiment, the helmet insert may comprise fasteners suitable for attaching the mask unit, and fasteners suitable for stowing away mask unit when it is not needed.
In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the mask unit may also comprise a rigid shell similar in rigidity and material to the helmet insert. The rigid shell may be connected to helmet insert by hinges that enable it to swing up onto the top of the user's head when not needed.
In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the ear covering unit and the face covering unit may comprise communication devices such as a microphone and earphones. The microphone and earphones may be wireless (such as Bluetooth) or may be connected to a device such as a walkie-talkie or a cell phone by wires.
In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the mask unit or the ear covering unit can attach to the collar of a jacket or sweatshirt to prevent cold air from getting through the gaps. The fasteners can be Velcro, clips, snaps, or any other fasteners known in the art.
The present invention can be made of any material suitable for making headwear, such as cloth, fur, knitted fabric, artificial fur, leather, and any other material that has the flexibility, insulating properties, and softness necessary for headwear making purposes. The preferred embodiment is made of a cloth fabric lined with artificial fur. In an embodiment, the present invention is made wholly or partially of reflective fabric to improve visibility and safety.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/663,795, filed on Jun. 25, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
