US20070245458A1

US20070245458A1 - All weather baseball-style hat

Info

Publication number: US20070245458A1
Application number: US11/725,390
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis Anthony McGee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-24
Filing date: 2007-03-17
Publication date: 2007-10-25

Abstract

This invention is a baseball-style hat, containing a crown opening for the head of the wearer, including a top and bottom, front and back, and a peripheral wall having an annular configuration. The outer shell of the hat is constructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material. Additionally, there are two vertical pockets facing downwards, one on either side of the exterior of the hat, which oppose each other. Inside each of these pockets are chin straps which may vary in size. Located at the ends of each of the chin straps are connectors. Located on the front exterior portion of the crown is a combination logo base and lower hatch patch which utilizes connectors to secure eye glasses including sunglasses, to the hat. Inside the interior portion of the hat there is a liner, which may be neoprene or synthetic rubber and nylon or polyester. The liner is constructed in an annular configuration and is permanently sewn or attached by intermittently spaced connectors to the outer portion of the sweat band of the hat.

Description

This application is based on: Provisional Application No. 60/794,076 filed on Apr. 24, 2006 and Non Provisional application Ser. No. 11/725,390 filed on Mar. 17, 2007

DESCRIPTION

A headwear piece that gives protection from various weather conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to headwear, and, more specifically, to a headwear piece having a crown made of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material with two side pockets containing chin straps, a front combination base logo and lower hatch patch to secure eye or sunglasses, and a fixed or removable liner, which may be neoprene or synthetic rubber and nylon or polyester.
2. Background Art
Typically, headwear pieces have a crown with a peripheral wall configured to accept the head of the wearer.
Baseball-style hats are commonly worn on a casual basis and when weather conditions, such as extremely sunny days dictate their use.
When wearing a traditional baseball-style hat, wearers are not very well protected from elements such as wind, rain, or cold temperatures. This fact lends itself to the inadequacies of being better protected from adverse weather conditions that is both needed and desired at times.
Additionally, there are many instances when in extremely windy conditions a wearer might refrain from wearing his or her hat for fear of having it blown off their head. Thus, exposing the head and face of the wearer to the elements and potentially losing their property at the same time.
Also, there are many times when eye glasses or sunglasses are needed and used in conjunction with a baseball-style hat. There are also times when eye or sunglasses must be removed to see clearly; such as when in low lit areas or indoors. In the absence of an eye or sunglass container, the wearer is often required to physically hold his or her eye or sunglasses, hang them on their clothing or set them on a flat surface where they may be forgotten.
And there are also many times when a wearer needs extra protection from extremely cold environments. Currently, there are few if any baseball-style hats which offer high levels of protection from cold environments. Nor, are there many baseball-style hats that offer the flexibility of an interior liner for protection against cold temperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is specifically directed to overcoming the above listed problems in several ways.
This invention, a baseball-style hat, has a crown defining an opening to accept the head of a wearer. The crown has a top and bottom, front and back, and an exterior peripheral wall having an annular configuration being constructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material.
The exterior surface of the crown is constructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material to protect the wearer from wind, rain, and/or the sun.
The exterior crown has two triangular pockets on either side of the hat, each containing chin straps which are connected around the jaw of the user during windy or other unstable conditions such as sporting events or other leisure activities (such as sailing).
The exterior crown may also incorporate a combination front fabric logo base and lower hatch patch which may vary in size, but is generally 2 inches in width and 3 inches in height. The lower hatch is used to secure eye glasses or sunglasses when they are not in use. The upper portion of the patch is used for placement of a logo.
The interior liner is sewn or attached by intermittently spaced connectors to the outer portion of the sweat band of the hat.
The connectors are positioned around the lower interior rim of the liner and outer surface of the sweat band which faces the shell of the hat. The spacing of the connectors may vary, as well as, their overall size. They may be any size or one piece.
One version of the baseball-style hat includes a rear positioned upside down U-shape opening which contains an adjustable strap that allows the wearer to change or alter the overall size of the hat according to the size of their head.
Another version of the baseball-style hat incorporates an elastic band around the rear ⅓. This portion is constructed of a flexible elastic material to allow for various head sizes. The forward ⅔ is constructed of the same material as the outer shell of the hat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a baseball-style hat constructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material displaying a rear upside down U-Shaped opening 17.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat with one side pocket 28 open displaying its chin strap 24 hanging downwardly from the bottom edge 14 of the hat.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat with a side pocket 28 closed displaying its chin strap 24 hanging downwardly from the bottom edge 14 of the hat.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a modified form of baseball-style hat with a portion of the sweat band 49 bent forward exposing parts of two connectors 47, located on the outer portion of the sweat band 49, used the secure the inner liner. This view also illustrates the side ventilation portal 59 on the inner right portion of the hats dome. The inner liner is not present in this picture.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat with a side pocket 28 open displaying its chin strap 24 hanging downwardly from the bottom edge 14 of the hat. The hat also displays an elastic rear band 51 which automatically adjusts to various head sizes.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat with a side pocket 28 closed displaying its chin strap 24 hanging downwardly from the bottom edge 14 of the hat. The hat also displays an elastic rear band 51 which automatically adjusts to various head sizes.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat with the front combination logo base and lower hatch patch 37 closed.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat with the front combination logo base and lower hatch patch 37 open exposing its connectors 40.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat with the front combination logo base and lower hatch patch 37 closed securing eye glasses 60 to the hat.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat with eye glasses 60 secured to the hat by use of the nylon tabs 29 located on each of the side pockets.

FIG. 11 is an interior view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat without an inner liner attached to the cap. This model incorporates the side ventilation ports 59 with the side pockets.

FIG. 12 is an interior view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat exhibiting an inner liner 43 fully attached.

FIG. 13 is an interior view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat exhibiting an inner liner 43 partially attached to the hat by use of connectors 47.

FIG. 14 is an interior view of a modified form of a baseball-style hat exhibiting an inner liner 43 partially attached to the hat displaying four of six sets of connectors 47.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a modified form of an inner liner 43 fully detached from the baseball-style hat.

FIG. 16 is an interior view of a modified form of a inner liner 43 fully detached from the baseball-style hat. This view shows six connectors 47 near lower interior the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1, a baseball-style hat is displayed and indicated with number 5. It has a crown defined by a plurality of panels sewn edge to edge in the front and rear, and in an overlapping fashion on the sides to define an inverted cup-shaped configuration with a bottom edge 14 defining a peripheral opening to accommodate the wearer's head 15. A bill 16 projects forwardly and downwardly from the bottom edge of the crown to shield the wearer's face from the sun, wind, and rain.
In another version, FIG. 4, a baseball-style hat is displayed and indicated with number 6. It has a crown defined by a plurality of panels sewn edge to edge to define an inverted cup-shape configuration with a bottom edge 14 defining a peripheral opening to accommodate the wearer's head. A bill 16 projects forwardly and downwardly from the bottom edge of the crown to shield the wearer's face from the sun, wind, and rain.
In one version, FIGS. 1-3 and 12, an inverted U-shaped cutout 17 is defined at the rear of the crown to permit adjustment of the effective diameter of the crown opening. An adjustable strap 18 is provided at the bottom of the cutout 17. As discussed in more specifics below, the length of the strap 18 can be altered to vary the spacing between opposing, lateral edges 19 (one shown) to thereby selectively increase or decrease the overall diameter of the crown.
In another version a rear one third portion of the hat is made of an elastic material 51 which stretches to accommodate various head sizes. The crown of the hat is completely enclosed over the wearer's head without the need of a cut-out of any kind.
The baseball-style hat 5 is a modified form which is used for casual wear and for protection from extreme weather conditions such as rain, wind, and snow. Wearer's of baseball-style hats in these conditions have relatively little protection other than from the sun. Protection from elements such as rain, wind, and snow is exhibited by this invention, utilizing a waterproof or water resistant outer shell.
Wind protection is further exhibited in this invention by use of two chin straps 24 (one on each side of the hat) which are secured to the bottom of the jaw by two buckles 25 (one each attached to the lower portion of the chin straps 24). One buckle 25 has a male fitting 26 and the other a female fitting 27. The buckles are secured by placing the male fitting 26 into the female fitting 27 under the jaw of the wearer.
The chin straps 24 are stored in side pockets 28 (opposite each other) when not in use. When in use, the side pockets 28 (one displayed) open by use of a tab 29, which is sewn under a reinforcing strip 33 to the lower exterior center portion of the pocket. By pulling on the tab 29, the pocket is released or disconnected temporarily from the base of the connectors 31. Once each of the side pockets 28 is opened, access to the chin straps 24 is achieved and the chin straps 24 may be released from stowage and lowered under the jaw of the wearer. A reinforcing strip 33 increases the structural integrity of the lower portion of the side pockets 28. After lowering the chin straps 24, the side pockets are resecured by use of the connectors. The chin strap 24 on the male fitting 26 side has an adjustable buckle 24 to make it larger or smaller.
In FIG. 7 the frontal exterior portion of the crown exhibits a combination front base logo and lower hatch patch 37 attachment. It contains a vertical tab 38 located on the bottom center portion. The tab 38 is used to open the lower hatch in a vertical direction to then secure eye or sunglasses to the hat when not in use. In FIG. 8 the lower hatch is secured to the base of the logo/hatch patch 37 by use of connectors 40. The combination base logo and lower hatch patch 37 is secured to the frontal exterior portion of the crown. A center crown weather strip 50 is also displayed.
In FIG. 12, a modified form of a baseball-style hat interior reveals an inner liner 43. This is exhibited by a plurality of panels sewn edge-to-edge defining an inverted cup-shaped configuration.
FIG. 14 exhibits four sets of connectors 47 attached to the outer portion 48 of the sweat band and lower interior portion of the inner liner. The sweat band is folded under the interior liner 43 to secure the two pieces during cold weather conditions.
In FIG. 16, attached to the inner liner bottom interior edge are six intermittently spaced connectors 47. The connectors 47 may be any length or one piece.

Claims

1. A baseball-style hat comprising:

a crown providing an opening to accept the head of the wearer, said crown containing both a top and a bottom, a front and a back, and a peripheral wall having an annular configuration, said crown having an exposed outer surface and an enclosed inner surface; a bill extending angularly forward from the crown; and the crown outer surface being substantially uninterrupted and constructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool or other material.

2. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein the exterior crown is sewn in segments in which some sections overlap the other. The two frontal segments overlap the forward portion of the center segments and the two rear segments overlap the rear portion of the center segments.

3. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein an exterior center weather strip, made consistently of the same material as the exterior of the hat, is utilized and sewn along the centerline of the crown (front to back of the cap). The weather strip may, however, be of any suitable and/or effective material.

4. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein the exterior crown contains two triangular vertical pockets with openings on the bottom of each. The pockets are located on either side of the hat.

A. The exterior crown pocket openings are secured by use of connectors which are positioned in the center of the opening to allow ventilation through the pockets to the center of the hat.

B. The exterior crown pockets contain chin straps which are attached to the outer shell, under the base of the side pocket connectors.

C. The chin straps may be released by the user from the pockets at will or when needed.

D. The chin straps utilize buckles (one male and the other a female fitting) affixed or attached to the ends of each and may be connected around the jaw of the user to secure the hat to the head.

5. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein the exterior front portion of the crown has a combination logo base and lower hatch patch which secures eye glasses of all types, including sunglasses, to the cap by use of connectors.

6. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein there is an interior liner, which may be neoprene or synthetic rubber and nylon or polyester, permanently affixed or attached by connectors.

A. The interior liner is permanently sewn or attached by intermittently spaced connectors to the outer portion of the sweat band of the hat.

B. The connectors around the lower inner portion of the removable liner are intermittently spaced. They may be any size or shape and spaced at any distance, or one piece.

C. The removable liner is attached to the interior portion of the sweat band of the cap by intermittently spaced connectors located on the lower interior rim of the liner and outer portion of the sweat band of the cap.

7. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein there is a rear positioned upside down U-shape opening which contains an adjustable strap that allows the wearer to change or alter the overall size of the hat according to the size of their head.

8. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein there is an elastic band around the rear ⅓. This elastic material is constructed of a flexible elastic material to allow for various head sizes. The forward ⅔ or other portion of the hat is constructed of the same material as the outer shell of the cap or other suitable material.

9. A baseball-style hat comprising:

a crown providing an opening to accept the head of the wearer, said crown containing both a top and a bottom, a front and a back, and a peripheral wall having an annular configuration, said crown having an exposed outer surface and an enclosed inner surface; a bill extending angularly forwardly from the crown; and the crown outer surface being substantially uninterrupted and constructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material.

10. The baseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein in this version the exterior crown is sewn edge to edge without overlapping.

11. The baseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein the exterior crown contains two triangular vertical pockets with openings on the bottom of each. The pockets are located on either side of the hat.

A. The exterior crown pocket openings are secured by use of connectors which are positioned in the center to allow for ventilation through the pockets and into the center of the hat.

B. The exterior crown pockets contain chin straps which are attached to the outer shell of the hat under the base of the connectors that secure the side pockets. The chin straps may be any suitable length and width.

D. The chin straps have buckles (one male and one female fitting) affixed or attached to the ends of each and may be connected around the jaw of the user to secure the hat to the head.

12. The baseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein the exterior front portion of the crown has a combination logo base and lower hatch patch which secures eye glasses of all types, including sunglasses, to the hat by use of connectors.

13. The baseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein there is a fixed or removable interior liner, which may be neoprene or synthetic rubber and nylon or polyester.

A. The removable liner is attached to the outer sweat band surface of the cap by intermittently spaced connectors.

B. The connectors around the removable liner interior are intermittently spaced. They may be any size or shape and spaced at any distance or one piece.

C. The removable liner is attached to the outer portion of the sweat band of the hat by intermittently spaced connectors located on the interior lower rim of the liner and outer sweat band of the hat.

14. The baseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein there is a rear positioned upside down U-shape opening which contains an adjustable strap that allows the wearer to change or alter the overall size of the hat according to the size of their head.

15. The baseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein there is an elastic band around the rear ⅓. This elastic material is constructed of a flexible material to allow for various head sizes. The forward ⅔ or other portion of the hat opening is constructed of the same material as the outer shell of the hat or other suitable material.