U.S. patent application number 10/892783 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-19 for specialty hat.
Invention is credited to Lesa F. Ridgeway.
Application Number | 20060010566 10/892783 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35597806 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060010566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ridgeway; Lesa F. |
January 19, 2006 |
Specialty hat
Abstract
A specialty hat is constructed with a crown having one or more
holes through an upper portion of the crown, where the holes are
dimensioned to receive a portion of the hat wearer's hair that is
positioned through the hole. Pluralities of decorations are
interchangeably and selectively removably attached to the crown
adjacent the holes where the decorations appear to be attached to
the hair positioned through the holes.
Inventors: |
Ridgeway; Lesa F.; (Ballwin,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joseph M. Rolnicki;Thompson Coburn LLP
One US Bank Plaza
St. Louis
MO
63101-9928
US
|
Family ID: |
35597806 |
Appl. No.: |
10/892783 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/171 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/171 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/04 20060101
A42B001/04 |
Claims
1) A hat comprising: a crown having a generally concave interior
surface surrounding an interior volume of the hat that is
dimensioned to receive a portion of the wearer's head inside the
hat interior volume, a generally convex exterior surface opposite
the interior surface, and a peripheral edge extending around an
opening to the hat interior volume and separating the crown
interior surface from the crown exterior surface, the opening being
dimensioned to receive the portion of the wearer's head through the
opening; a hole through the crown, the hole being spaced from the
crown peripheral edge and being positioned and dimensioned to
receive a portion of the wearer's hair that is positioned through
the hole, the hole being positioned closer to a top of the hat
crown than the crown peripheral edge.
2) The hat of claim 1, further comprising: a decoration attached to
the crown adjacent the hole at a position on the crown where the
decoration appears to be attached to the hair positioned through
the hole.
3) The hat of claim 2, further comprising: the decoration being
attached to the crown exterior surface on an opposite side of the
hole from the crown peripheral edge.
4) The hat of claim 2, further comprising: the crown having a
center point that is equally spaced from the crown peripheral edge
from different points around the crown peripheral edge; and the
hole being positioned closer to the crown center point than the
crown peripheral edge.
5) The hat of claim 4, further comprising: the decoration being
attached to the crown exterior surface on an opposite side of the
hole from the crown peripheral edge.
6) The hat of claim 2, further comprising: the decoration being
removably attached to the crown exterior surface.
7) The hat of claim 6, further comprising: the decoration being one
of a plurality of decorations that are each removably and
interchangeably attached to the crown exterior surface.
8) The hat of claim 2, further comprising: the decoration being a
cord having a length with opposite first and second ends, the cord
being attached to the crown adjacent the hole where the cord length
can be positioned around the hair positioned through the hole.
9) The hat of claim 8, further comprising: at least one of the cord
first and second ends being removably attached to the crown
exterior surface.
10) The hat of claim 8, further comprising: the cord first and
second ends being removably attached to the crown exterior
surface.
11) The hat of claim 10, further comprising: the cord being one of
a plurality of cords that are each removably and interchangeably
attached to the crown exterior surface.
12) The hat of claim 8, further comprising: a post on the crown
exterior surface; and the cord first end being attached to the post
and the cord second end being removably attached to the post.
13) The hat of claim 12, further comprising: the cord being
elastic.
14) The hat of claim 2, further comprising: the hole being one of a
pair of holes on opposite sides of the crown, both holes being
spaced from the crown peripheral edge and being positioned and
dimensioned to receive a portion of the wearer's hair that is
positioned through the hole; and the decoration being one of a
plurality of decorations that are attached to the crown exterior
surface adjacent the pair of holes at positions on the crown
exterior surface where the decorations appear to be attached to the
hair positioned through the pair of holes.
15) The hat of claim 14, further comprising: each decoration of the
plurality of decorations being removably attached to the crown
exterior surface.
16) A hat comprising: a crown having an interior surface that is
dimensioned to receive a portion of a wearer's head inside the hat,
and an opposite exterior surface; a hole through the crown, the
hole being positioned and dimensioned to receive a portion of the
wearer's hair that is positioned through the hole; and a decoration
that is removably attachable to the crown at a position adjacent
the hole where the decoration attached to the crown appears to be
attached to the wearer's hair that is positioned through the
hole.
17) The hat of claim 16, further comprising: the decoration being
one of a plurality of decorations that are each removably
attachable to the crown at the position adjacent the hole.
18) The hat of claim 17, further comprising: the hole being one of
a pair of holes through the crown that are each dimensioned to
receive a portion of the wearer's hair that is positioned through
each hole; and a pair of decorations of the plurality of
decorations being removably attachable adjacent the pair of
holes.
19) The hat of claim 17, further comprising: a fastener assembly
that removably attaches the plurality of decorations to the crown,
the fastener assembly having a first part that is attached to the
crown and a plurality of second parts that are each attached to a
decoration of the plurality of decorations, the second parts being
removably attachable to the first part to selectively and removably
attach each of the plurality of decorations to the crown.
20) The hat of claim 16, further comprising: the decoration being a
cord having a length between first and second ends of the cord, the
cord being removably attachable to the crown adjacent the hole
through the crown and the cord length being dimensioned to extend
the cord around the portion of the wearer's hair that is positioned
through the hole.
21) The hat of claim 20, further comprising: at least one of the
cord first and second ends being removably attachable to the
crown.
22) The hat of claim 20, further comprising: the cord first and
second ends being removably attachable to the crown.
23) The hat of claim 20, further comprising: the cord being one of
a plurality of cords that are each removably attachable to the
crown.
24) The hat of claim 20, further comprising: a post on the crown
exterior surface; and the cord being removably attachable to the
post.
25) The hat of claim 24, further comprising: the cord first and
second ends each being removably attachable to the post.
26) A method of making a hat, the method comprising: forming a
piece of material into a crown of the hat with the crown having an
interior surface, an opposite exterior surface, and a peripheral
edge extending around an opening to an interior of the hat and
separating the crown interior surface from the crown exterior
surface, dimensioning the opening to receive a portion of a
wearer's head through the opening; and cutting a hole through the
formed crown at a position that is spaced from the crown peripheral
edge and dimensioning the hole to receive a portion of the wearer's
hair positioned through the hole.
27) The method of claim 26, further comprising: removably attaching
a decoration on the crown adjacent the hole at a position where the
decoration appears to be attached to the hair positioned through
the hole.
28) The method of claim 26, further comprising: cutting the hole
through the crown at a position on the crown that is closer to a
center of the crown than the peripheral edge of the crown.
29) The method of claim 28, further comprising: cutting the hole
and stitching around the hole using a single apparatus that
performs both the cutting and stitching steps.
30) The method of claim 26, further comprising: cutting at least a
pair of holes through the crown and dimensioning each hole to
receive a portion of the wearer's hair positioned through the hole;
and removably attaching a decoration on the crown adjacent each
hole where the decoration appears to be attached to the hair
positioned through the hole.
31) The method of claim 27, further comprising: removably attaching
the decoration on the crown with a two part fastener assembly with
a first fastener part being attached to the crown and a second
fastener part being attached to the decoration and the first and
second fastener parts being releasably connectable to each
other.
32) The method of claim 31, further comprising: providing a post on
the crown as the first fastener part and providing a loop on the
decoration as the second fastener part; and connecting the loop
over the post.
33) The method of claim 31, further comprising: providing a
plurality of decorations and a plurality of second fastener parts,
attaching the second fastener parts to each of the decorations with
each of the second fastener parts attached to a decoration being
releasably connectable to the first fastener part.
34) The method of claim 27, further comprising: providing a cord as
the decoration with the cord having a length dimensioned to extend
the cord around the hair positioned through the hole.
35) The method of claim 27, further comprising: providing a
plurality of decorations that are each removably attachable to the
crown.
36) A method of making a hat, the method comprising: providing at
least one piece of material to be formed into a crown of the hat;
surging at least one hold in the piece of material, the hole being
dimensioned to receive a portion of hair of a wearer of the hat
through the hole; boring around the hole in the piece of material;
and, performing the surging and boring steps on a single
apparatus.
37) The method of claim 36, further comprising: performing the
surging and boring steps on an embroidery machine that has been
modified with a surging apparatus.
38) The method of claim 37, further comprising: performing the
surging and boring steps after at least one piece of material has
been formed into a crown.
39) The method of claim 37, further comprising: positioning the
hole in the piece of the material where the hole will be positioned
closer to a top of the hat crown than a bottom edge of the hat
crown.
40) The method of claim 37, further comprising: removably attaching
a decoration on the piece of material adjacent the hole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention pertains to a specialty hat that is
constructed with one or more holes through the hat, and decorations
that are positioned adjacent the holes. More specifically, the
present invention pertains to a hat having a crown with one or more
holes through an upper portion of the crown, where the holes are
dimensioned to receive a portion of the hat wearer's hair that is
positioned through the hole. In addition, decorations are
interchangeably and selectively removably attached to the crown
adjacent the holes where the decorations appear to be attached to
the hair positioned through the holes.
[0003] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0004] Casual hats such as baseball-type caps and golf visors are
often worn by individuals when participating in or observing
sporting events, or as part of their casual attire. Wearers of such
caps and visors that have longer hair often bundle their hair up
beneath the crown of the cap, or wear their hair in a ponytail. Hat
wearers having ponytails often wear their hat with the hat band
extending over the ponytail. However, this can detract from the
usual comfortable feeling of the hat on the wearer's head. In
addition, the hat band engaging around the ponytail often detracts
from the secure fit of the hat on the wearer's head. This can
result in the hat being easily blown from the wearer's head by a
sudden gust of wind.
[0005] As a result of the uncomfortable feeling of a hat band
engaging around a wearer's ponytail, and the insecurity of the hat
being easily blown from the wearer's head, hat wearers that keep
their hair in a ponytail often resort to the baseball-type cap that
has an opening in the hat band at the rear of the cap, and
adjustable straps that extend across the opening. This type of cap
is worn on the wearer's head with the ponytail extending through
the back opening and over the adjustable straps. However, this type
of cap is considered by many to be less attractive in appearance
than the conventional, fitted-type baseball cap that does not have
the back opening.
[0006] What is needed to overcome the above-described disadvantages
of casual hats for hat wearers having longer hair is a hat designed
to easily accommodate the wearer's hair kept in a ponytail or
pigtails, where the hat also has a more decorative or appealing
appearance than the conventional baseball-type hat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a casual hat, for example a
baseball-type cap or a bucket hat, that is specifically designed to
be comfortably worn by a wearer having longer hair that desires to
wear their hair in a ponytail or pigtails. In addition, the hat is
provided with a variety of different types of decorations that are
removably attachable to the hat where the decorations appear to be
attached to the hair of the hat wearer.
[0008] In the various configurations of the hat, for example a
baseball-type cap configuration or a bucket hat configuration, the
hat is basically comprised of a crown constructed of flexible
material. A hat band surrounds an opening of the crown that is
dimensioned to receive a portion of the hat wearer's head. The
crown has an interior surface surrounding an interior volume of the
hat, and an opposite exterior surface.
[0009] In a baseball-type cap configuration, a bill projects from
the hat band. In a bucket hat configuration, a brim extends around
the hat band.
[0010] One or more holes are provided through the hat crown. In the
preferred embodiment, each hole is spaced from the crown peripheral
edge and is positioned more toward a central portion of the crown
than the crown peripheral edge. Each hole is dimensioned to receive
a portion of the wearer's hair positioned through the hole,
enabling the wearer to pass a ponytail through the hole of a hat
having only one hole, or pass pigtails through the holes of a hat
having a pair of holes.
[0011] A plurality of various different types of decorations are
provided that are removably attachable to the hat crown. Two-part
fasteners, for example snap fasteners or hook and loop type
fasteners removably attach the decorations to the hat crown. A
first part of the fastener is attached to the crown exterior
surface adjacent the hole in the crown. The second part of the
fastener is attached to the decoration. Connecting the first and
second parts of the fastener removably attaches the decoration to
the crown in a position adjacent the crown hole where the
decoration appears to be attached to the portion of the wearer's
hair passed through the crown hole.
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of
decorations are formed as bows of ribbon or other similar material.
The bows are removably attached to the crown exterior surface at a
position adjacent the crown hole where the bows appear to be
attached to the portion of the hat wearer's hair positioned through
the crown hole. By providing the decorations as a plurality of
ribbons or other similar types of decorations, the decorations can
be removably and interchangeably attached to the hat as desired by
the hat wearer to give the hat a plurality of different
appearances.
[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the decoration is
provided as a decorative cord having an elastic length between
opposite first and second ends of the cord. Each of the first and
second ends of the cord is removably attachable to a post
positioned on a central portion of the hat crown. The length of the
cord can be extended around the crown hole, with the cord opposite
ends being removably attached to the post. This gives the
appearance of the cord extending around the portion of the hat
wearer's hair positioned through the crown hole. In addition to the
cord decorating the portion of the hat wearer's hair, the cord also
functions to support the portion of the wearer's hair so that the
portion of the hair extends outwardly from the crown hole.
[0014] The specialty hat of the invention has a simplified
construction that enables manufacturing the hat in a minimum number
of manufacturing steps. Basically, the hat is formed from a piece
of flexible material positioned on a hat block to form the material
into the crown of the hat. The material is held in the crown
configuration by a band positioned around the hat block, as is
conventional.
[0015] These steps are performed by an embroidery machine that has
been modified with a surging apparatus used to cut the hole or
holes through the hat crown. A novel feature of the specialty hat's
simplified method of construction involves performing both a
cutting operation forming the hole through the hat crown, and a
stitching operation embroidering the edge of the crown hole on the
same manufacturing apparatus. In prior art hat constructions having
holes such as vent holes, the surging and boring, or cutting and
stitching steps were performed in two separate steps on the crown
material as it lay flat. The material was then subsequently formed
into the crown. The method of the invention enables these two steps
in the hat's manufacturing to be performed at the same
manufacturing site, thereby simplifying the manufacturing
method.
[0016] Once the crown hole or holes have been manufactured, the
removable decorations are then added to the crown exterior,
completing the manufacturing of the hat of the invention. One or
more different types of decorations can be provided with each hat
as a kit, thereby adapting the hat for having many different
appearances depending on which decorations are selectively,
removably attached to the hat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Further features of the present invention are set forth in
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of
the invention, and in the following drawing figures wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the
specialty hat of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the hat of FIG. 1, with
the removable decoration removed;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of the hat similar to that of FIG. 2,
but showing the removable decoration attached;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the
specialty hat with a removable decoration attached; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the hat of FIG. 4 showing
a pair of removable decorations attached.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a first embodiment of the special hat
10 of the present invention. The hat 10 is a casual hat or a
baseball-type cap that incorporates the novel features of the
invention. It should be understood that the baseball-type cap shown
in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is illustrative only of one type of hat with
which the novel features of the invention may be employed. The
baseball-type cap shown in the drawing figures should not be
interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.
[0024] Many of the structural features of the hat 10 shown in FIGS.
1, 2, and 3 are typical in the conventional construction of
baseball-type caps, and therefore will not be described in detail.
The hat 10 is basically comprised of a crown 12, a hat band 14, and
a bill 16.
[0025] The crown 12 is constructed of a plurality of panels 18 of a
flexible material typically employed in constructing hats. The
panels 18 are secured together by stitching 20 to form the crown
12. The crown is formed with a generally convex exterior surface
22, and an opposite, generally concave interior surface 24. The
interior surface 24 surrounds an interior volume of the hat 10 that
is dimensioned to receive a portion of the head of a wearer of the
hat.
[0026] The hat band 14 extends around the periphery of the crown
12. The hat band 14 is secured to the crown 12 by stitching or
other conventional means. A bottom edge 26 of the hat band 14
surrounds the opening to the interior volume of the hat. The band
bottom edge 26 also defines the peripheral edge of the crown 12,
and separates the crown interior surface 24 from the crown exterior
surface 22.
[0027] The bill 16 is secured to the hat band 14 and projects in a
forward direction from the hat band. The bill 16 is secured to the
hat band 14 by stitching or other conventional means.
[0028] The construction of the specialty hat 10 described to this
point is conventional. The construction of the hat 10 differs from
that of prior art hats in that a hole 30 is provided through an
upper portion of the crown 12. As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the
hole 30 is spaced upwardly from the crown peripheral edge 26, and
is positioned closer to a center point 32 of the crown than the
crown peripheral edge 26. In the embodiment of the hat 10 shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the hole 30 is positioned at a rearward portion
of the hat crown 12 on an opposite side of the hat center point 32
from the hat bill 16. In the preferred embodiment, the hole 30 is
dimensioned sufficiently large to enable a wearer of the hat to
pass a portion of their hair, for example a ponytail, through the
hole 30. Thus, the hole 30 has a significantly larger diameter
dimension than would a typical venting hole in a baseball-type cap.
As only an example, the hole 30 could have a diameter dimension of
one or two inches. This would provide sufficient area in the hole
30 for the hat wearer to reach through the hole from the exterior
of the crown 12, grasp a portion of the wearer's hair, and pull a
portion of the hair through the hole 30 positioning the hair, for
example kept in a ponytail, in the crown hole 30.
[0029] The peripheral edge 34 of the hole 30 is defined by
embroidered stitching of the crown material surrounding the hole
30. The stitching of the peripheral edge 34 enhances the aesthetic
appearance of the hat and strengthens the material of the crown 12
surrounding the hole 30.
[0030] A post 38 is secured to the hat crown 12 at the crown center
point 32. The post is positioned on an opposite side of the hole 30
from the crown peripheral edge 26. The post 38 has a necked down
shank 40 that projects upwardly from the crown 12 to an enlarged
head 42 of the post. The post 38 functions as a first fastener part
of a two-part fastener that is employed to removably attach a
decoration to the hat 10, as will be explained. Other types of
equivalent fasteners, for example snap fasteners or hook and loop
fasteners could also be employed to removably attach the decoration
to the hat.
[0031] A decorative cord 46 is employed as one type of decoration
that may be removably attached to the hat 10. The cord 46 has a
length with opposite to first 48 and second 50 ends. The length of
the cord 46 is dimensioned to extend the cord around the crown hole
30 and around a portion of the hat wearer's hair pulled through the
crown hole. The decorative cord 46 is constructed of a flexible
material and in the preferred embodiment is elastic. A variety of
different types of materials may be employed in constructing the
cord 46 to enhance the decorative appearance of the hat 10. The
cord 46 has a first loop 52 provided at the first end 48 of the
cord length, and a second loop 54 provided at the second end 50 of
the cord. Both the first and second loops 52, 54 are dimensioned to
be removably attached to the post 38 by stretching the loops over
the enlarged head 42 of the post and positioning the loops on the
post shank 40.
[0032] In use of the embodiment of the hat 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2,
and 3, the hat wearer first positions the hat 10 on the wearer's
head with the bill 16 directed forwardly, as is typical. The wearer
then reaches through the crown hole 30 and grasps the portion of
the wearer's hair kept in a ponytail. The portion of the hair is
then pulled through the crown hole 30, positioning the portion of
the wearer's hair extending through the crown hole 30 with the hat
10 worn on the wearer's head.
[0033] Either before or after the portion of the wearer's hair is
positioned in the crown hole 30, the loop 52 at the first end of
the decorative cord 46 is removably attached to the post 38. The
length of the cord 46 can then be extended around the portion of
the wearer's hair positioned in the crown hole 30. The second loop
54 at the free end of the decorative cord 46 is then attached to
the post 38. This positions the decorative cord 46 extending around
the portion of the wearer's hair positioned in the crown hole 30.
In addition, the elasticity of the cord 46 supports the portion of
the wearer's hair positioned in the crown hole 30, causing the
portion of hair to extend upwardly and outwardly from the crown
hole 30.
[0034] As desired, any one of a plurality of decorative cords 46
having different decorations can be removably attached to the post
38 on the hat 10 to decorate the portion of the wearer's hair
positioned in the crown hole 30, and support the portion of the
wearer's hair extending upwardly and outwardly from the crown
hole.
[0035] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a further embodiment of the hat 60 of the
invention. The hat 60 is a casual hat or bucket hat that
incorporates the novel features of the invention. As in the
previously described embodiment, it should be understood that the
bucket hat shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is illustrative only of one type
of hat with which the novel features of the invention may be
employed. The bucket hat shown in the drawing figures should not be
interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.
[0036] Many of the structural features of the hat 60 shown in FIGS.
4 and 5 are typical in the conventional construction of bucket
hats, and therefore will not be described in detail.
[0037] The hat 60 includes a crown comprised of a generally
cylindrical side wall 62 and a generally circular top wall 64 that
are both formed from a flexible material typically employed in hat
constructions. The side wall 62 is secured to the top wall 64 by
stitching, or other equivalent means. Together the side wall 62 and
top wall 64 give the hat crown a generally convex exterior surface
66 and an opposite, generally concave interior surface 68. The
interior surface 68 surrounds an interior volume of the hat 60 that
is dimensioned to receive a portion of the head of a wearer of the
hat.
[0038] The crown side wall 62 has a bottom, peripheral edge 70 that
separates the crown interior surface 68 from the crown exterior
surface 66.
[0039] A brim 72 is secured to the crown bottom edge 70 by
stitching or other equivalent means. In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5, the brim 72 is formed of pleaded material and
extends entirely around the crown bottom edge 70.
[0040] The construction of the bucket hat 60 described to this
point is conventional. The construction of the hat 60 differs from
that of prior art bucket hats in that a pair of holes 74 are
provided through an upper portion of the crown. As seen in FIGS. 4
and 5, the holes 74 are spaced upwardly from the crown bottom
peripheral edge 70, and are positioned closer to a center point 76
of the crown than the crown peripheral edge 70. In the embodiment
of the hat 60 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pair of holes 74 are
positioned primarily in the circular top wall 64 of the crown on
diametrically opposite sides of a central portion of the top wall
64. In the preferred embodiment, the holes 74 are dimensioned
sufficiently large to enable a wearer of the hat 60 to pass a
portion of their hair, for example pigtails, through the holes 74.
Thus, the holes 74 have a significantly larger diameter dimension
than would a typical venting hole of a casual hat. As an example,
the holes 74 could have a diameter dimension of 1 or 2 inches. This
would provide sufficient area in each of the holes 74 for the hat
wearer to reach through the hole from the exterior of the crown,
grasp a portion of the wearer's hair, and pull the portion of the
hair through the holes 74 positioning the hair in the crown holes
74.
[0041] The peripheral edges 78 of the holes 74 are defined by
embroidered stitching of the crown material surrounding the holes
74. The stitching of the peripheral edge 78 enhances the aesthetic
appearance of the hat and strengthens the material of the crown
surrounding the holes 74.
[0042] First fastener parts 82 are secured to the crown adjacent
the holes 74. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first
fastener parts 82 are parts of two-part snap fasteners that are
employed to removably attach decorations to the hat 60, as will be
explained. Other types of equivalent fasteners, for example hook
and loop fasteners could also be employed to removably attach the
decorations to the hat. As seen in FIG. 4, the first fastener parts
82 are secured to the crown top wall 64 at positions adjacent the
holes 74 and on opposite sides of the holes from the crown
peripheral edge 70.
[0043] In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, decorations 84 for the
hat 60 are provided in the form of bows tied from ribbons. Other
types of decorations 84 may also be employed. The second part 86 of
the two-part snap fasteners are secured to each of the decoration
bows 84. Furthermore, a variety of different types of decorations
84 may be provided with each decoration having a second fastener
part 86 to removably attach the decorations 84 on the hat 60 at the
first fastener parts 82. The second fastener parts 86 are
releasably connectable to the first fastener parts 82 to removably
attach the decorations 84 to the crown of the hat 60. Due to the
positioning of the first fastener parts 82 on the hat 60, when the
second fastener parts 86 are releasably connected to the first
fastener parts 82, the decorations 84 appear to be attached to the
portions of the wearer's hair that passes through the holes 74. By
providing the hat 60 with a variety of different types of
decorations 84, each of which is removably attachable to the hat
adjacent the holes 74, the decorations can be removably and
interchangeably attached to the hat as desired by the hat wearer to
give the hat and the portions of the wearer's hair positioned
through the hat holes 74 a plurality of different appearances.
[0044] In each embodiment of the specialty hat 10, 60 of the
invention, the hat has a simplified construction that enables
manufacturing the hat in a minimum number of manufacturing steps.
Basically, each embodiment of the hat 10, 60 is formed from one or
more pieces of flexible material that are secured together, for
example by sewing, and are positioned on a hat block to form the
crown of the hat. The material is held in the crown configuration
by a hat band positioned around the material on the hat block.
[0045] The novel and simplified method of constructing the hats 10,
60 involves performing both a cutting operation that forms the
holes through the hat crowns, and a stitching operation that
embroiders the peripheral edges of the holes in the same
manufacturing apparatus. The same apparatus is capable of both
cutting or surging the holes in the hat crowns, and loop stitching
or boring the peripheral edges of the holes. These steps are
performed on the finished crown by an embroidery machine that has
been modified with a surging apparatus. Thus both the hole cutting
and hole periphery stitching are performed by the same machine on
the formed crown.
[0046] In an alternate embodiment of the specialty hat, the hat
crown need not be finished. The surging and boring steps are still
performed by the embroidery machine that has been modified with a
surging apparatus, but the steps are performed on pieces of
material that are later formed into the hat crown.
[0047] Once the crown holes have been manufactured into the hats,
the removable decorations 46, 84 are then added to the crown
exteriors, completing the manufacturing of the hats. As stated
earlier, one or more different types of decorations can be provided
with each hat as a kit, thereby adapting the hat for having many
different appearances depending on which decorations are
selectively, removably attached to the hat.
[0048] Although the specialty hat of the invention has been
described above by reference to specific embodiments, it should be
understood that variations and modifications could be made to the
specialty hat without departing from the scope of the following
claims.
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