U.S. patent application number 09/828042 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-10 for multiply configurable head wear.
Invention is credited to Brooks, Patrick.
Application Number | 20020144334 09/828042 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25250778 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020144334 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brooks, Patrick |
October 10, 2002 |
MULTIPLY CONFIGURABLE HEAD WEAR
Abstract
A multiply configurable hat having a visor assembly joined to a
double thickness knit stocking cap. The visor assembly is formed of
a visor or bill portion joined to an adjustable headband and is
separable from the stocking cap and is independently wearable as a
visor. The visor assembly is installed into the annular space
between the inner and outer knit fabric tubes of the double
thickness knit stocking cap and is movable therein relative to the
inner and outer knit fabric tubes. Furthermore, the inner and outer
knit fabric tubes are configurable relative to the visor assembly,
such that the visor portion is arranged in proximity to the brim
and the headband is movable along a length of the annular space.
The inner and outer knit fabric tubes of the stocking cap are thus
configurable relative to the visor assembly into a variety of
different arrangements.
Inventors: |
Brooks, Patrick; (Bremerton,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles J. Rupnick
PO Box 46752
Seattle
WA
98146
US
|
Family ID: |
25250778 |
Appl. No.: |
09/828042 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/206 20130101;
A42B 1/04 20130101; A42B 1/06 20130101; A42B 1/018 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.12 |
International
Class: |
A42B 001/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A multiply configurable hat comprising: a visor assembly formed
of a visor portion joined to a headband; and inner and outer knit
fabric tubes joined at a first end to form a brim and joined at a
second end to form a closure and a space formed between the inner
and outer knit tubes, the inner tube formed with an access aperture
structured to accept the visor assembly therethrough into an
annular space formed between the inner and outer knit fabric
tubes.
2. The hat of claim 1, wherein the visor assembly is installed in
the space between the inner and outer knit fabric tubes and is
movable therein relative to the inner and outer knit fabric
tubes.
3. The hat of claim 2, wherein the headband portion of the visor
assembly is formed as an adjustable headband.
4. The hat of claim 3, wherein the visor assembly is separable from
the knit fabric tubes.
5. The hat of claim 3, wherein the inner and outer knit fabric
tubes are configurable relative to the visor assembly into
different arrangements.
6. The hat of claim 3, wherein the inner and outer knit fabric
tubes are configurable relative to the visor assembly such that the
visor portion arranged in proximity to the brim and the headband is
movable along a length of the tube.
7. The hat of claim 6, wherein the visor is formed as a thin
crescent that is stiff in the plane of the crescent and flexible
perpendicular thereto.
8. An article of stylable head wear, comprising: a double thickness
knit fabric tube having a brim formed at one end of the tube and a
closure formed at another end of the tube, an inner portion of the
double thickness fabric tube interrupted with a slit providing
access to an annular space formed between the double thicknesses of
the fabric tube; a crescent shaped visor coupled to an adjustable
band and projecting therefrom, the visor and band installed within
the space formed between the double thicknesses of the tube and
selectively positionable relative thereto.
9. The article of claim 8, wherein the slit is formed substantially
parallel with and spaced away the brim.
10. The article of claim 9, wherein the visor is positionable
adjacent to the brim, and the band is simultaneously positionable
in a plurality of positions along a length of the tube.
11. The article of claim 10, wherein the visor and band are
removably installed within the fabric tube.
12. The article of claim 10, wherein the slit is formed as a pair
of lips having edges finished by stitching.
13. A knit cap having a multiply positionable visor assembly, the
cap comprising: a double thickness knit cap having a space formed
between inner and outer tube shaped portions joined along their
circumferences at one end to form a brim about an opening into the
tube that is sized to fit about a person's head, the inner and
outer tube portions joined at an end opposite the opening to form a
closure; a pair of lips formed in the inner tube portion, the lips
providing an aperture into the space between the inner and outer
tube shaped portions; and a visor assembly removably inserted
between the lips into the space between the inner and outer tube
shaped portions and selectably positioned relative thereto.
14. The cap of claim 13, wherein the visor assembly includes an
adjustable headband with a crescent shaped bill projecting
therefrom.
15. The cap of claim 13, wherein the pair of lips is substantially
aligned with the circumference of the inner tube shaped
portion.
16. The cap of claim 15, wherein the pair of lips is positioned
adjacent to but spaced away from the opening into the tube.
17. A method for forming a multiply configurable visored cap from a
double thickness knit cap having an inner tubular thickness and an
outer tubular thickness joined therewith at a crown portion, the
inner and outer tubular thicknesses forming a space therebetween
coextensive therewith and joined together to form at a brim portion
opposite the crown portion an opening sized to fit onto a person's
head in combination with a visor assembly having a crescent shaped
bill projecting from a headband adjustable to fit a variety of head
sizes, the method comprising: installing the visor assembly into
the space formed between the inner and outer tubular thicknesses,
such that an outer most edge of the crescent shaped bill is
positionable at an interior crease formed at the brim portion, and
the adjustable headband attached thereto is extendable about an
interior circumference of the space between the inner and outer
tubular thicknesses and is selectably positionable along a length
of the space between the brim portion and the crown portion.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming a pair of
lips in the inner tubular thickness of the cap.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising finishing edges of
the lips by stitching.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising inserting the visor
assembly between the pair of lips into the space between the inner
and outer tubular thicknesses.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to head wear and
particularly, to multiply configurable head wear having a knit cap
combined with a visor assembly.
[0002] Different configurations of configurable hats have been
known over time. In 1910, Monoson disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
978,048 a configurable fur hat that, as best understood, had a
pliable brim and pliable crown joined at the base of the crown with
an unstretchable band and a stiff peak sewn into the brim which
could be flipped up or down. Monoson provided a draw cord for
adjusting the size of the hat to suit different wearers.
[0003] A 1933 Hendrickson U.S. Pat. No. 1,915,092 disclosed a hat
formed of a stretchable knit tube with one end closed to form a
crown. As best understood, Hendrickson provided two relatively
elastic reinforcing bands: a first annular French welt formed as an
integral sweat band intermediate along the tubular length, and a
second integrally-formed annular French welt at the opening. A wire
inserted into the annular ring formed in the second French welt was
used to stretch the opening to a much larger size than the original
knit tube and to shape the hat brim.
[0004] Goldstein disclosed in 1939 U.S. Pat. No. 2,143,265 an
attempt to convert an ordinary double-thickness knit "stocking" cap
into a visored "hockey" cap which was to be wearable in various
configurations. As best understood, Goldstein confined a
crescent-shaped peak or visor stiffener sewn in a pocket at the
brim between the cap's inner and outer layers.
[0005] Later, U.S. Pat. No. 2,735,110 issued to Baker in 1956
disclosed a "scarf" cap using a visor assembly of a stiff visor
with an adjustable headband attached thereto. As best understood,
the visor assembly is centered at the long edge of a triangular
fabric scarf and secured thereto by stitching.
[0006] All of the Monoson, Hendrickson, Goldstein, and Baker
patents are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes limitations of the prior art
by providing a multiply configurable hat having a visor assembly
joined to a conventional rib-knit stocking cap. The visor assembly
is formed of a visor or bill portion joined to an adjustable
headband. The visor assembly is separable from the stocking cap and
is independently wearable as a visor. The stocking cap is formed of
an inner knit fabric tube and an outer knit fabric tube joined
together at a first end to form a brim and joined at a second end
to form a closure at a crown of the hat. An annular space is
thereby formed between the inner and outer knit tubes of the
stocking cap. The inner tube is formed with an access aperture
structured to accept the visor assembly therethrough into the space
formed between the inner and outer knit fabric tubes. The visor
assembly is installed in the annular space between the inner and
outer knit fabric tubes and is movable therein relative to the
inner and outer knit fabric tubes. Furthermore, the inner and outer
knit fabric tubes are configurable relative to the visor assembly,
such that the visor portion arranged in proximity to the brim, and
the headband is movable along a length of the tube. The inner and
outer knit fabric tubes of the stocking cap are thus configurable
relative to the visor assembly into different arrangements and
styles.
[0008] According to other aspects of the invention, various methods
are provided for forming a multiply configurable visored cap from a
double thickness knit stocking cap having an inner tubular
thickness and an outer tubular thickness joined together at a crown
portion, the inner and outer tubular thicknesses forming an annular
space therebetween coextensive therewith and joined together to
form at a brim portion opposite the crown portion an opening sized
to fit onto a user's head in combination with a visor assembly
having a crescent shaped bill projecting from a headband. The
headband adjustable to fit a variety of head sizes. One method of
the invention includes installing the visor assembly into the space
formed between the inner and outer tubular thicknesses, such that
an outer most edge of the crescent shaped bill is positionable at
an interior crease formed at the brim portion, and the adjustable
headband attached thereto is extendable about an interior
circumference of the annular space between the inner and outer
tubular thicknesses and is selectably positionable along a length
of the annular space between the brim portion and the crown
portion.
[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the method
includes forming a pair of lips in the inner tubular thickness of
the cap, whereby access is gained to the annular space between the
inner and outer tubular thicknesses of the stocking cap. The method
optionally includes finishing edges of the lips by stitching.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, method
optionally includes inserting the visor assembly between the pair
of lips into the space between the inner and outer tubular
thicknesses of the stocking cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the multiply
configurable hat of the invention in one of the multiple
configurations provided by the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a section view taken along the centerline of the
hat of the invention as configured in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the insertion of a visor assembly into a
knit stocking cap according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates one configuration of the hat of the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates another configuration of the hat of the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates still another configuration of the hat of
the invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates another configuration of the hat of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates yet another configuration of the hat of
the invention; and
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates still another configuration of the hat of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the multiply
configurable hat 10 of the invention in one of the multiple
configurations provided by the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
the multiply configurable hat 10 of the invention includes a
double-layer knit fabric stocking cap 12 in combination with a
visor assembly 14. The visor assembly 14 is formed of a visor
portion 16, also known as a "bill," joined to a headband 18. The
stocking cap 12 is of conventional design, having, for example,
knit pearl joining knit ribbons into inner 20 and outer 22 knit
fabric tubes, which provides elasticity and a close fit. The inner
20 and outer 22 knit fabric tubes are joined at one end to form a
brim 24 at an opening into the hat 10 and are joined at the other
end to form a neat appearing closure at the crown 26. The inner 20
and outer 24 knit tubes can also be described as a single knit tube
folded back on itself at its middle to form the brim 24 and having
the two ends sewn together on the underside to form the closure at
the crown 26 at the top of the knit stocking cap 12. An annular
space, clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, is formed between the inner
20 and outer 22 knit tubes. The visor assembly 14 is installed in
the space between the inner 20 and outer 22 knit tubes and is
movable in the space relative to the inner 20 and outer 22 knit
tubes.
[0023] In FIG. 1, an outer most edge of the bill 16 of the visor
assembly 14 is arranged to coincide with the brim 24, while the
headband 18 is arranged intermediate between the brim 24 and the
top closure at the crown 26 of the knit cap 12. The portion of the
knit cap 12 between the brim 24 and the headband 18 is folded up
and onto the back of the user's head, thus forming a crease line
24a that joins the crease line 24b along the edge of the bill
16.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a section view taken along the centerline of the
hat 10 as configured in FIG. 1 FIG. 2 clearly illustrates an access
aperture or "slit" 28 formed in the inner 20 knit tube that
provides access into the annular space 30 between the inner 20 and
outer 22 knit tubes. The access aperture 28 is structured to accept
the visor assembly 14 and permit it to pass into the annular space
30 formed between the inner 20 and outer 22 knit fabric tubes. As
illustrated, the outer most edge of the bill 16 portion of the
visor assembly 14 is positioned along the inside of the crease of
the brim 24, while the headband 18 is arranged intermediate between
the brim 24 and the crown 26. The portion of the knit cap 12
between the brim 24 and the headband 18 is folded up, thus forming
the crease line 24a that joins the crease line 24b along the edge
of the bill 16. As FIG. 2 clearly illustrates, the headband 18 is
movable inside the annular space 30 along a length of the inner 20
and outer 22 knit tubes.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly of the visor assembly 14
into the knit stocking cap 12. According to one embodiment of the
hat 10 of the invention, the access aperture or slit 28 is formed
in the inner knit tube 20 and provides access into the annular
space 30 between the inner 20 and outer 22 knit tubes at a position
adjacent to, but spaced away from, the opening into the stocking
cap 12 at the brim 24. For example, the access aperture 28 is a
slit about 3 inches long, which is positioned about 4 inches away
from the brim 24 and is substantially aligned with the
circumference of the inner knit tube 20. In other words, the slit
is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis 32 of the
stocking cap 12. However, the slit 28 is optionally aligned
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 32. According
to one embodiment of the invention, the access aperture 28 is a
pair of lips 34 formed in the inner tube portion 20. The lips 34
are formed of the knit fabric and can be spread apart to provide
the aperture 28 into the space 30 between the inner 20 and outer 22
knit tube portions. The edges of the lips 34 are optionally
finished by stitching to protect the fabric against unraveling,
similar to stitching a button hole. The slit 28 may also be formed
with a roughly circular shape spaced away from the brim 24.
[0026] As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the visor assembly 14 is
separable from the annular space 30 between the inner 20 and outer
22 knit fabric tubes and is independently usable as a conventional
visor. According to one embodiment of the invention, the headband
portion 18 of the visor assembly 14 is formed as an adjustable
headband. For example, a portion of the headband 18 is formed as a
belt with two interconnecting straps 36 and 38. One of the straps
36 includes a quantity of perforations 40 that cooperate with a
quantity of pegs 42 (shown) or a buckle (not shown) on the other
strap 38. The headband 18 is thus adjustable to fit a variety of
head sizes. The interconnecting straps 36 and 38 are formed of any
of several conventional materials, such as fabric, plastic,
leather, or another suitable material. The adjustable portion of
the headband 18 may also be formed by an elasticized band (not
shown) attached to one strap 36 and releasably coupled to the other
strap 38 by a fastener, such as a buckle, hook-and-eye,
Velcro.RTM., or another suitable fastener. The visor or bill
portion 16 is formed as a thin crescent that is stiff in the x-y
plane of the crescent and flexible perpendicular to the x-y plane
in the z axis. The bill 16 is coupled to the headband 18 at a
position intermediate between the straps 36 and 38. Alternatively,
the bill 16 is formed integrally with the headband, for example,
when the visor assembly is an integrally molded plastic unit.
[0027] FIG. 3 also illustrates one method for installing the visor
assembly 14 within the annular space 30 formed between the inner 20
and outer 22 knit fabric tubes. One strap 36 or 38 (shown) of the
headband 18 is inserted between the lips 34 into the aperture 28.
The bill portion 16 and second strap 36 (shown) or 38 follow the
first strap 38 through the aperture 28 into the annular space 30.
The outer most edge of the crescent shaped bill 16 is positionable
at an interior crease formed at the brim 24. The adjustable
headband 18 is extended about an interior circumference of the
annular space 30 between the inner 20 and outer 22 tubular
thicknesses of the cap 12. Once installed, the headband 18 is
selectably positionable along a length of the annular space 30
between the brim 24 and the crown 26. The inner 20 and outer 22
knit fabric tubes are thus configurable relative to the visor
assembly 14 into different arrangements.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates one of the ways that the hat 10 of the
invention is multiply configurable. In FIG. 4, the outer edge of
the bill portion 16 of the visor assembly 14 is again fit into the
crease at the opening into the hat 10 adjacent to the brim 24b. The
straps 36 and 38 are coupled in a configuration sized to
comfortably fit the user's head and are moved down the length of
the annular space 30 into the crease at the opening adjacent to the
brim 24a. The remainder of the stocking cap 12 is "puffed" into a
soft "stove pipe" configuration 44 with a roll 46 formed near the
crown 26 to maintain the cylindrical stove pipe shape.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates another of the ways that the hat 10 of
the invention is multiply configurable. In FIG. 5, the outer edge
of the bill portion 16 of the visor assembly 14 is again fit into
the crease at the opening into the hat 10 adjacent to the brim 24b.
The adjusted headband 18 is arranged intermediate between the brim
24a and the top closure at the crown 26 of the knit cap 12. The
portion of the knit cap 12 between the brim 24a and the headband 18
is folded up toward the crown 26, thus forming a crease line 24a
that joins the crease line 24b along the edge of the bill 16. The
bill 16 of the visor assembly 14 is positioned over the user's ear,
pointing generally toward the user's back and shoulder. Meanwhile,
the portion of the knit cap 12 between the brim 24a and the
headband 18 is folded upwardly onto the user's forehead.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates still another of the ways that the hat 10
of the invention is multiply configurable. In FIG. 6, the outer
edge of the bill portion 16 of the visor assembly 14 is again fit
into the crease at the opening into the hat 10 adjacent to the brim
24b. The adjusted headband 18 is arranged at a position partway
between the brim 24a and the top closure at the crown 26 of the
knit cap 12. The portion of the knit cap 12 between the brim 24a
and the headband 18 is folded up toward the crown 26, thus forming
a crease line 24a that joins the crease line 24b along the edge of
the bill 16. The bill 16 of the visor assembly 14 is positioned
over the user's forehead, pointing generally forward. The portion
of the knit cap 12 above the headband 18 is flattened down onto the
top of the user's head. Meanwhile, the portion of the knit cap 12
between the brim 24a and the headband 18 is folded up onto the
sides of the user's head similar to undeployed earflaps. The
earflaps are optionally deployed as desired.
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates another of the ways that the hat 10 of
the invention is multiply configurable. In FIG. 7, the outer edge
of the bill portion 16 of the visor assembly 14 is again fit into
the crease at the opening into the hat 10 adjacent to the brim 24b.
The adjusted headband 18 is arranged at a position adjacent to the
brim 24a opposite from the top closure at the crown 26 of the knit
cap 12. The cap 12 is pulled down with the crown portion 26
positioned adjacent to the top of the user's head and the inner 20
and outer 22 tube portions covering the user's ears (not shown).
The bill 16 of the visor assembly 14 is positioned over the user's
neck, pointing generally backward. The headband 18 adjacent to the
brim 24a is positioned over the user's forehead.
[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates yet another of the ways that the hat 10
of the invention is multiply configurable. In FIG. 8, the outer
edge of the bill portion 16 of the visor assembly 14 is again fit
into the crease at the opening into the hat 10 adjacent to the brim
24b. The adjusted headband 18 is arranged at a position adjacent to
the brim 24a opposite from the top closure at the crown 26 of the
knit cap 12. The hat 10 is configured as a beret, having a close
fitting headband 18 and a soft, full, flat top portion formed by
the portion of the cap 12 between the headband 18 and the crown 26.
In FIG. 8, the hat 10 is positioned with the bill 16 of the visor
assembly 14 positioned generally over the user's ear, pointing
generally toward the user's shoulder. The headband 18 adjacent to
the brim 24a is positioned over the user's forehead and opposite
ear. The portion of the cap 12 between the brim 24 and the crown 26
folded and laid over the user's opposite ear.
[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates still another of the ways that the hat 10
of the invention is multiply configurable. In FIG. 9, the outer
edge of the bill portion 16 of the visor assembly 14 is again fit
into the crease at the opening into the hat 10 adjacent to the brim
24b. The adjusted headband 18 is arranged at a position adjacent to
the brim 24a opposite from the top closure at the crown 26 of the
knit cap 12. The hat 10 is again configured as a beret, having the
close fitting headband 18 and the soft, full, flat top portion
formed by the portion of the cap 12 between the headband 18 and the
crown 26. In FIG. 9, however, the hat 10 is positioned with the
bill 16 of the visor assembly 14 positioned generally over the
user's forehead, pointing generally forward. The headband 18
adjacent to the brim 24a is positioned around the back of the
user's head. The portion of the cap 12 between the brim 24 and the
crown 26 folded and laid forward over the bill 16.
[0034] Although the foregoing invention has been described in
detail for purposes of clarity, certain modifications may be
practiced within the scope of the appended claims. For example,
although the present invention is illustrated as an article of
stylable head wear configurable in a variety of different ways, it
may also be configured in other ways not illustrated herein.
Furthermore, the assembly methods may vary from those described
herein. For example, visor assembly 14 is optionally installed
within the annular space 30 while the knit cap 12 is under
construction, before the closure at the crown 26 is sealed. Thus,
the major intentions of the invention are realized, missing only
the ability to separate the visor assembly 14 from the knit cap 12
for independent use.
* * * * *