U.S. patent application number 10/392466 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-15 for adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus.
Invention is credited to Benton, Tajeiri S., Crenshaw, Debra.
Application Number | 20040006809 10/392466 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30118286 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040006809 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crenshaw, Debra ; et
al. |
January 15, 2004 |
Adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus
Abstract
An adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a
head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the
head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment assembly
attached to the head-covering portion, adjacent to the aperture
portion, for adjusting the size of the aperture portion.
Preferably, the aperture portion is located at a top central
portion of the head-covering portion. Ordinarily, a hat brim is
attached to the head-covering, but can be brimless. With using the
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus, a person's hair
braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) can be threaded through the
aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly
contracts around the bases of the hair braids (ponytail or
dreadlocks).
Inventors: |
Crenshaw, Debra; (Bronx,
NY) ; Benton, Tajeiri S.; (US) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Debra Crenshaw
1439 East Avenue, Apt. #1F
Bronx
NY
10462-7562
US
|
Family ID: |
30118286 |
Appl. No.: |
10/392466 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60385845 |
Jun 5, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42C 5/04 20130101; A42B
1/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.3 |
International
Class: |
A42C 005/04; A42B
001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A new and improved adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus
adapted for installation to a headwear article and headwear
accessory containing an entryway thereof for the passage
therethrough of the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks), such
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus comprising: an
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a
head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the
head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment assembly
attached to the head-covering portion, adjacent to the aperture
portion for adjusting the size of the aperture portion; preferably,
the aperture portion is located at the top central portion of the
head-covering portion; ordinarily, a hat brim is attached to the
head-covering, but can be brimless; with using the adjustable
aperture containing hat apparatus, a person's hair braids (ponytail
or dreadlocks) can be threaded through the aperture portion, and
the aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the base of
the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks).
2. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the
head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion.
An elastic cord is contained inside the expandable/contractible
aperture boundary covering.
3. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: the aperture size adjustment assembly includes an
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the
head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion. A
drawstring is threaded through the expandable/contractible aperture
boundary covering. A drawstring adjustment lock, supported by the
drawstring, is provided for locking the drawstring in a selected
adjustment position.
4. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: the aperture size adjustment assembly includes a
plurality of valve flaps. The valve flaps can be elastic and can
form a normally closed aperture portion.
5. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: Assembly includes a plurality of ribbon eyelets
attached to the head-covering portion and extending
circumferentially around the aperture portion. An adjustment ribbon
is threaded through the ribbon eyelets.
6. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus
is sufficiently flexible to provide substantial closure of the
opening when it is not needed to thread therethrough the hair
braids (ponytail or dreadlocks).
7. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus
will provide resilient gripping of the hair braids (ponytail or
dreadlocks) when passed therethrough to provide stability both for
the hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) and the adjustable
aperture containing hat apparatus.
8. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: the headwear is selected from the group consisting
of closely fitting headwear such as baseball-style caps, knit and
fleece hats, skull caps, ski caps, tennis caps, cowboy hats, and
any style hat that can be worn with a brim or brimless to
accommodate the wearing of hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) in
a ponytail style fashion.
9. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: the components of the adjustable aperture
containing hat apparatus of the invention can be made from
inexpensive and durable cloth, rubber, and plastic materials.
10. The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein: the adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus
worn to accommodate hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks) greatly
reduces frustration, saves a great deal of time, and is simple and
easy to use.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] "NOT APPLICABLE"
STATEMENT REGARDING FED SPONSORED R & D
[0002] "NOT APPLICABLE"
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING APPENDIX
[0003] "NOT APPLICABLE"
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A new and improved adjustable aperture containing hat
apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present
invention wherein a person's hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks
can be threaded through the aperture portion, and the aperture size
adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the hair braids,
ponytail, or dreadlocks.
[0005] This new invention is designed as a convenience item to
cover the head with a baseball-style cap or any style hat wherein
long braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks can be threaded through the
adjustable/contractible aperture portion. This new invention may be
called a "ponytail hat" because it allows the long hair to be
gathered together on the top of the head in a ponytail style
fashion. The headwear may be worn in all seasons wearing a
baseball-style cap or a knit or fleece hat.
[0006] Hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks are uncommonly known to
fit securely under a cap or hat to be worn on the head. To wear a
cap or hat the hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks must be worn
hanging down, around, and to the back of the head. The adjustable
aperture containing hat apparatus allows the hair braids, ponytail,
or dreadlocks to be threaded through the aperture portion, and the
aperture size adjustment assembly contracts around the bases of the
hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks allowing the head-covering to
be lowered onto the person's head. The hair braids, ponytail, or
dreadlocks will cascade over the adjustable aperture containing hat
apparatus forming a ponytail style hair fashion.
[0007] The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus fills the
need for a baseball-style cap or any style hat that provides a neat
and attractive entryway for the passage of the hair of a longer
hairstyle therethrough. An appropriate aperture size adjustment
assembly attached to the head-covering is sufficiently flexible to
provide substantial closure of the opening when it is not needed.
The aperture portion and the aperture size adjustment assembly will
provide resilient gripping of the hair braids, ponytail, or
dreadlocks when passed therethrough to provide stability for the
hair braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks and the baseball-style cap or
any style hat.
[0008] The components of the adjustable aperture containing hat
apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable
clothe, rubber, and plastic materials.
[0009] The adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus when used
to accommodate hair braids, a ponytail, or dreadlocks greatly
reduces frustration, saves a great deal of time, and is simple and
easy to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus includes a
head-covering portion, an aperture portion defined by the
head-covering portion, and an aperture size adjustment assembly
attached to the head-covering portion, adjacent to the aperture
portion, for adjusting the size of the aperture portion.
Preferably, the aperture portion is located at a top central
portion of the head-covering. Ordinarily, a hat brim is attached to
the head-covering portion, but can be brimless. With using the
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus, a person's hair
braids, ponytail, or dreadlocks can be threaded through the
aperture portion, and the aperture size adjustment assembly
contracts around the bases of the hair braids, ponytail, or
dreadlocks.
[0011] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the
aperture size adjustment assembly includes an
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the
head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion.
An elastic cord is contained inside the expandable/contractible
aperture boundary covering.
[0012] In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the
aperture size adjustment assembly includes an
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering attached to the
head-covering portion so as to circumscribe the aperture portion. A
drawstring is threaded through the expandable/contractible aperture
boundary covering. A drawstring adjustment lock, supported by the
drawstring, is provided for locking the drawstring in a selected
adjustment position.
[0013] In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, the
aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of valve
flaps. The valve flaps can be elastic and can form a normally
closed aperture portion.
[0014] In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, the
aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of ribbon
eyelets attached to the head-covering portion and extending
circumferentially around the aperture portion. An adjustment ribbon
is threaded through the ribbon eyelets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will be better understood and the above
objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will
become more apparent after a study of the following detailed
description thereof. Such description makes reference to the
annexed drawing wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an oblique front view of a first embodiment of the
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention on a
person's head who has braided hair.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] Aperture containing hat apparatus embodying the principles
and concepts of the present invention will be described.
[0020] In general, for all embodiments of the invention, an
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus 10 of the invention
includes a head-covering portion 12, an aperture portion 14 defined
by the head-covering portion 12, and an aperture size adjustment
assembly attached to the head-covering portion 12, adjacent to the
aperture portion 14, for adjusting the size of the aperture portion
14. Preferably, the aperture portion 14 is located at the top
central portion of the head-covering portion 12. Ordinarily, a hat
brim 16 is attached to the head-covering portion 12, but can be
brimless.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, for the first embodiment of the
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention, the
aperture size adjustment assembly includes an
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 attached to
the head-covering portion 12 so as to circumscribe the aperture
portion 14. An elastic cord 20 is contained inside the
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18.
[0022] To use the first embodiment of the invention, a person
grasps the head-covering portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand,
and the person positions the head-covering portion 12 above the
person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's
hair braids (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the
aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat
apparatus 10 is lowered onto the person's head. As a result, the
hair braids (ponytail, or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture
portion 14, as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, the elastic cord 20
inside the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18
contracts the aperture portion 14 so that the
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 forms a tight
fit around the bases of the hair braids 11 (ponytail or
dreadlocks).
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for the second embodiment of the
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention, the
aperture size adjustment assembly includes an
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18 attached to
the head-covering portion 12 so as to circumscribe the aperture
portion 14. A drawstring 22 is threaded through the
expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering 18. A drawstring
adjustment lock 24, supported by the drawstring 22, is provided for
locking the drawstring 22 in a selected adjustment position.
[0024] To use the second embodiment of the invention, a person
grasps the head-covering portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand,
and the person positions the head-covering portion 12 above the
person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's
hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the
aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat
apparatus 10 is lowered onto the person's head. As a result, the
hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture
portion 14, as shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, free ends of the
drawstring 22, which is threaded through the aperture boundary
covering 18, are grasped by the person, and the person pushes on
the drawstring adjustment lock 24 to contract the aperture portion
14 so that the expandable/contractible aperture boundary covering
18 forms a tight fit around the bases of the hair braids 11
(ponytail or dreadlocks).
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are two free ends of
drawstrings 22, and there are two drawstring adjustment locks 24
for contracting the aperture portion 14 and locking the drawstrings
22 to maintain the aperture portion 14 in the contracted position.
(There can be one free end of drawstring and one drawstring
adjustment lock for contracting the aperture portion and locking
the drawstring to maintain the aperture portion in the contracted
position, drawing not shown).
[0026] To expand the aperture portion 14, the drawstring adjustment
locks 24 are pulled outward towards the free ends of the
drawstrings 22.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for the third embodiment of the
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention, the
aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of valve
flaps 26. The valve flaps 26 can be elastic and can form a normally
closed aperture portion 14.
[0028] To use the third embodiment of the invention, a person
grasps the head-covering portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand,
and the person positions the head-covering portion 12 above the
person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's
hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the
aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat
apparatus 10 is lowered onto the person's head. As a result, the
hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture
portion 14. Moreover, the valve flaps 26 contract the aperture
portion 14 so that the valve flaps 26 press up against the hair
braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks).
[0029] As shown in FIG. 8, for the fourth embodiment of the
adjustable aperture containing hat apparatus of the invention, the
aperture size adjustment assembly includes a plurality of ribbon
eyelets 30 attached to the head-covering portion 12 and extending
circumferentially around the aperture portion 14. An adjustment
ribbon 28 is threaded through the ribbon eyelets 30.
[0030] To use the fourth embodiment of the invention, a person
grasps the head-covering portion 12 or the hat brim 16 in one hand,
and the person positions the head-covering portion 12 above the
person's head. Then, using the other hand, the person pushes one's
hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks, not shown) through the
aperture portion 14 as the adjustable aperture containing hat
apparatus 10 is lowered onto the person's head. As a result, the
hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks) extend through the aperture
portion 14. Then, the person grasps the free ends of the adjustment
ribbon 28 and pulls on those free ends. As a result, the adjustment
ribbon 28 pulls in the ribbon eyelets 30 so as to cause the
aperture portion 14 to contract. In this way, the circumference of
the aperture portion 14 can form a tight fit around the bases of
the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks). Then, as shown in FIG.
8, the free ends of the adjustment ribbon 28 can be tied into a bow
32 to lock the adjustment ribbon 28 into the tightened condition
around the hair braids 11 (ponytail or dreadlocks).
[0031] To loosen the contracted aperture portion 14, the bow 32 is
untied, and the circumference of the aperture portion 14 is
stretched outward.
[0032] The components of the adjustable aperture containing hat
apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable
clothe, rubber, and plastic materials.
[0033] The foregoing detailed description is considered as
illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art and therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to
the exact construction and operation shown and described.
Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents falling
within the broad scope of the subject matter described above may be
resorted to in carrying out the present invention.
* * * * *