U.S. patent application number 11/525238 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-24 for headwear piece.
Invention is credited to Liisa Vainio, Mikael Vainio.
Application Number | 20080092272 11/525238 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39200219 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080092272 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vainio; Mikael ; et
al. |
April 24, 2008 |
Headwear piece
Abstract
The invention relates to a headwear piece comprising a crown
defining an opening to accept the head of a wearer. The crown has
peripheral crown wall having an annular configuration and a top
wall. The headwear piece has a first opening through the crown to
allow passage therethrough of a first ponytail on the head of a
wearer with the headwear piece in place on a wearer's head and a
second opening through the crown wall to allow passage therethrough
of a second ponytail on the head of a wearer with the headwear
piece in place on a wearer's head. The first opening and the second
opening are provided with enlarging means for enlarging the
openings to produce enlarged openings through the crown facilitate
the placement of a ponytail trough the openings. The invention also
relates to a headwear piece having first cutout through the
peripheral crown wall in the bottom edge and a second cutout
through the peripheral crown wall in the bottom edge and in which
the first cutout and the second cutout are provided on opposite
sides of the front-to-back median of the crown.
Inventors: |
Vainio; Mikael; (Dusseldorf,
DE) ; Vainio; Liisa; (Dusseldorf, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX LLP
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 400
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
39200219 |
Appl. No.: |
11/525238 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.7 ;
2/195.1; 2/209.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.7 ;
2/209.3; 2/195.1 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/06 20060101
A42B001/06; A42B 1/00 20060101 A42B001/00 |
Claims
1. A headwear piece comprising: a crown defining an opening to
accept the head of a wearer; said crown dimensioned to extend from
the back to the front of a wearer's head; said crown having a top
and bottom, a peripheral crown wall having an annular configuration
and a top wall; a first opening through at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall to allow passage
therethrough of a first ponytail on the head of a wearer with the
headwear piece in place on a wearer's head; and a second opening
through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall
to allow passage therethrough of a second ponytail on the head of a
wearer with the headwear piece in place on a wearer's head; and
wherein the first opening being completely surrounded by at least
one of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall; wherein the
second opening being surrounded by at least one of the peripheral
crown wall and the top wall; wherein the first opening is provided
on a first side of the front-to-back median of the crown; wherein
the second opening is provided on the opposite second side of the
front-to-back median of the crown; wherein the first opening is
provided with first enlarging means for enlarging the first opening
to produce an enlarged first opening through at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall to facilitate the placement
of the first ponytail trough the first opening; and wherein the
second opening is, provided with second enlarging means for
enlarging the second opening to produce an enlarged second opening
through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall
to facilitate the placement of the second ponytail trough the
second opening.
2. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the first
enlarging means comprise first entry means provided on the crown
for providing a first closable entryway in the crown in
communication with the first opening through at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall to allow a first elongate
ponytail to be placed in the first opening through at least one of
the peripheral crown wall and the top wall without threading the
first ponytail lengthwise into the first opening; and wherein the
second enlarging means comprise second entry means provided on the
crown for providing a second closable entryway in the crown in
communication with the second opening through at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall to allow, a second elongate
ponytail to be placed in the second opening through at least one of
the peripheral crown wall and the top wall without threading the
second ponytail lengthwise into the second opening.
3. The headwear piece according to claim 2, wherein said crown
having a bottom edge; and wherein the first closable entryway
extending between the first opening and the bottom edge of the
crown.
4. The headwear piece according to claim 2, wherein the crown is,
defined by fabric; and wherein the first means for providing a
first closable entryway comprises first and second fabric flaps
each defining a portion of the crown outer surface and includes
first joining means for releasable joining the flaps.
5. The headwear piece according to claim 2, wherein said crown
having a bottom edge; wherein the first closable entryway extending
between the first opening and the bottom edge of the crown; wherein
the crown is defined by fabric; and wherein the first means for
providing a first closable entryway comprises first and second
fabric flaps each defining a portion of the crown outer surface and
includes first joining means for releasable joining the flaps.
6. The headwear piece according to claim 2, wherein the crown
having a bottom edge; wherein the first closable entryway extending
between the first opening and the bottom edge of the crown; and
wherein the second closable entryway extending between the second
opening and the bottom edge of the crown.
7. The headwear piece according to claim 2, wherein the crown is
defined by fabric; wherein the first means for providing a closable
entryway comprises first and second fabric flaps each defining a
portion of the crown outer surface and includes first joining means
for releasable joining the flaps; and wherein the second means for
providing a closable entryway comprises first and second fabric
flaps each defining a portion of the crown outer surface and
includes second joining means for releasable joining the flaps.
8. The headwear piece according to claim 2, wherein the crown
having a bottom edge; wherein the first closable entryway extending
between the first opening and the bottom edge of the crown; wherein
the second closable entryway extending between the second opening
and the bottom edge of the crown; wherein the crown is defined by
fabric; wherein the first means, for providing a closable entryway
comprises first and second fabric flaps each defining a portion of
the crown outer surface and includes first joining means for
releasable joining the flaps; and wherein the second means for
providing a closable entryway comprises first and second fabric
flaps each defining a portion of the crown outer surface and
includes second joining, means for, releasable joining the
flaps.
9. The headwear piece according to claim 2, wherein said crown
having a bottom edge; wherein the first closable entryway extending
between the first opening and the second opening; wherein the
second closable entryway extending between the second opening and
the bottom edge of the crown.
10. The headwear piece according to claim 2 wherein said crown
having a bottom edge; wherein the first closable entryway extending
between the first opening and the second opening; wherein the
second closable entryway extending between the second opening and
the bottom edge of the crown; wherein the crown is defined by
fabric; wherein the first means for providing a closable entryway
comprises first and second fabric flaps each defining a portion of
the crown outer surface and includes first joining means, for
releasable joining the flaps; and wherein the second means for pr
viding a closable entryway comprises first and second fabric flaps
each defining a onion of the crown outer surface and includes
second joining means for releasable joining the flaps.
11. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the enlarged
first opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and
the top wall being completely sounded by the peripheral crown
wall.
12. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the crown is
defined by fabric; wherein the enlarged first opening through at
least one of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall being
completely surrounded by the peripheral crown wall; and wherein the
first enlargening means comprises first and second fabric flaps for
closing a part of said enlarged first opening to produce said first
opening and correspondingly for opening said part of said enlarged
first opening to produce said enlarged first opening, wherein said
first and second fabric flaps defining a portion of the crown outer
surface and includes first joining means for releasable joining the
first and second flaps.
13. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the enlarged
first opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and
the top wall being completely surrounded by at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall; and wherein the enlarged
second opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall
and the top wall being completely surrounded by at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall.
14. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the enlarged
first opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and
the top wall being completely surrounded by at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall; wherein the enlarged second
opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and the
top wall being completely surrounded by at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall; wherein the crown is
defined by fabric; wherein the first enlargening means comprises
first and second fabric flaps for closing a part of said enlarged,
first opening to produce paid first opening and correspondingly for
opening said part of said enlarged first opening to produce said
enlarged first opening, wherein said first and second fabric flaps
defining a portion of the crown outer surface and includes first
joining means for releasable joining the first and second flaps;
and wherein the second enlargening means comprises third and fourth
fabric flaps for closing a part of said enlarged second opening to
produce said second opening and correspondingly for opening said
part of said enlarged second opening to produce said enlarged
second opening, wherein said third and fourth flaps defining a
portion of the crown outer surface and includes second joining
means for releasable joining the third and fourth flaps.
15. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein the enlarged
first opening is in communication with the enlarged second opening;
and wherein the enlarged-second opening is in communication with
the enlarged first opening.
16. The headwear piece according to claim 1 wherein enlarged first
opening is in communication with the enlarged second opening;
wherein enlarged second opening is in communication with the
enlarged first opening; wherein the crown is defined by fabric;
wherein the first enlargening means comprises first and second
fabric flaps for closing a part of said enlarged first opening to
produce said first opening and correspondingly for opening said
part of said enlarged first opening to produce said enlarged first
opening, wherein said first and second fabric flaps. defining a
portion of the crown outer surface and includes first joining means
for releasable joining the first and second flaps; and wherein the
second enlargening means comprises third and fourth fabric flaps
for closing a part of said enlarged second opening to produce said
second opening and correspondingly for opening said part of said
enlarged second opening to produce said enlarged second opening,
wherein said third and fourth flaps defining a portion of the crown
outer surface and includes second joining means for releasable
joining the third and fourth flaps.
17. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein enlarged first
opening is in communication with the enlarged second opening;
wherein enlarged second opening is in communication with the
enlarged first opening; wherein the crown is defined by fabric;
wherein the first enlargening means comprises first and second
fabric flaps for closing a part of said enlarged first opening to
produce said first opening and correspondingly for opening said
part of said enlarged first opening to produce said enlarged first
opening, wherein said first and second fabric flaps defining a
portion of the crown outer surface and includes first joining means
for releasable joining the first and second flaps; wherein the
second enlargening means comprises third and fourth fabric flaps
for closing a part of said enlarged second opening to produce said
second opening and correspondingly for opening said part of said
enlarged second opening to produce said enlarged second opening,
wherein said third and fourth flaps defining a portion of the crown
outer surface and includes second joining means for releasable
joining the third and fourth flaps; wherein the first fabric flaps
are joined together with the third fabric flaps; and wherein the
second fabric .flaps are joined together with the fourth fabric
flaps.
18. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the crown
having a front half and a back half; and wherein the crown outer
surface being substantially uninterrupted by any opening at the
front half of the crown.
19. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the crown has
a bottom edge; and wherein the bottom of the first opening through
at least one of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall is
spaced at least a half inch upwardly from the bottom edge of the
crown.
20. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein said crown
having a bottom edge; wherein the bottom. of the first opening
through. at least one of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall
is spaced at least a. half inch upwardly from the bottom edge of
the crown; and wherein the bottom of the second opening through at
least one of the peripheral crown wall. and the top wall is spaced
at least a half inch upwardly from the bottom edge of the
crown.
21. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the first
opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and the
top wall has a diameter between 1 and 4 inches.
22. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the first
opening in through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and
the top wall has a diameter between 2 and 3 inches.
23. The headwear piece according to claim to claim 1, wherein the
first opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and
the top wall has. a diameter between 1 and 4 inches, and wherein
the second opening in through at least one of the peripheral crown
wall and the top wall the peripheral crown wall has a diameter
between 1 and 4 inches.
24. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the first
opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall. and the
top wall has a diameter between 2 and 3 inches, and wherein the
second. opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall
and the top wall has a diameter between 2 and 3 inches.
25. The headwear piece according to claim 1, wherein the headwear
piece comprises a frontal bill.
26. A headwear piece comprising: a crown defining an opening to
accept the head of a wearer; wherein the crown dimensioned to
extend from the back to the front of a wearer's head; wherein the
crown having, a top and bottom, a peripheral crown wall having an
annular configuration and a top wall; wherein the peripheral crown
wall having a bottom edge; a first cutout through the peripheral
crown wall in the bottom edge; wherein the first cutout is provided
with a first strap; wherein the first cutout and the first strap
forms the perimeter of a first opening to allow passage
therethrough of a first ponytail on the head of a wearer with the
headwear piece in place on a wearer's head; and a second cutout
through the peripheral crown wall in the bottom edge; wherein the
second cutout is provided with a second strap; wherein the second
cutout and the second strap forms the perimeter of a second opening
to allow passage therethrough of a second ponytail on the head of a
wearer with the headwear piece in place on a wearer's head; and
wherein the first cutout and the second cutout are provided on
opposite sides of the front-to-back median of the crown.
27. The headwear piece according to claim 26, wherein the first
strap is an adjustable strap for altering the distance between
opposite edges of the first cutout.
28. The headwear piece according to claim 26, wherein the first
strap, is an adjustable strap for altering the distance between
opposite edges of the first cutout; and wherein the second strap is
an adjustable strap for altering the distance between opposite
edges of the second cutout
29. The headwear piece according to claim 26, wherein the first
strap is fixedly fastened on one side of the first cutout, and
wherein the first strap is releasable fastened on the opposite side
of the cutout by means of means for releasable attaching the first
strap to the crown.
30. The headwear piece according to claim 26, wherein the first
strap is fixedly fastened on one side of the first cutout, wherein
the first strap is releasable fastened on the opposite side of the
first cutout by means of means for releasable attaching the first
strap to the crown, and wherein the second strap is fixedly
fastened on one side of the second cutout, and wherein the second
strap is releasable fastened on the opposite side of the second
cutout by means of means for releasable attaching the second strap
to the crown.
31. The headwear piece according to claim 26, wherein the first
strap comprises a first strap portion fixedly attached to one side
of the cutout, wherein the first strap comprises a second strap
portion fixedly attached to the opposite side of the cutout, and
wherein the first strap portion and the second strap portion
comprises fastening means for releasable joining the first strap
portion and the second strap portion.
32. The headwear piece according to claim 26, wherein the first
strap comprises a first strap portion fixedly attached to one side
of the cutout, wherein the first strap comprises a second strap
portion fixedly attached to the opposite side of the cutout,
wherein the first strap portion and the second strap portion
comprises fastening means for releasable joining the first strap
portion and the second strap portion, wherein the second strap
comprises a third strap portion fixedly attached to one side of the
cutout, wherein the second strap comprises a fourth strap portion
fixedly attached to the opposite side of the cutout, and wherein
the third strap portion and the fourth strap portion comprises
fastening means for releasable joining the. strap portion and the
fourth strap portion.
33. The headwear piece according to claim 26, wherein the headwear
piece comprises a frontal bill.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to headwear piece for the
wearing on a person's head.
[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a headwear piece
comprising a crown defining an opening to accept the head of a
wearer. The crown is dimensioned to extend from the back to the
front of a wearer's head. The crown has a peripheral crown wall
having an annular configuration and a top wall. The headwear piece
comprises a first opening through at least one of the peripheral
crown wall and the top wall to allow passage therethrough of a
first ponytail on the head of a wearer with the headwear piece in
place on a wearer's head, and a second opening through at least one
of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall to allow passage
therethrough of a second ponytail on the head of a wearer with the
headwear piece in place on a wearer's head. The first opening is
completely surrounded by at least one of the peripheral crown wall
and the top wall and the second opening is surrounded by at least
one of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall. The first
opening is provided on a first side of the front-to-back median of
the crown and the second opening is provided on the opposite second
side of the front-to-back median of the crown.
[0003] The headwear piece of the invention is preferably, but not
necessarily, a baseball style cap having generally a crown to which
a frontal bill is attached.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,249 (Higgins) discloses a headwear piece
comprising a crown and having two openings through the crown, each
of the openings being fully surrounded by the crown and allow
passage of a ponytail therethrough, the openings being provided in
the crown oppositely spaced with respect to the front-to-back
median of the crown. Since the openings through the crown in this
known headwear piece are relatively small, 1-3 inches, it is
difficult for a wearer to fit the headwear piece on the head when
the wearer, at the same time when fitting the headwear piece into
place on his/her head has to fit a first ponytail through the first
opening and a second ponytail trough the second opening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The purpose of the invention is to solve this problem.
[0006] In a headwear piece according to the invention both the
first opening and the second opening is provided with enlarging
means for enlarging the opening to produce an enlarged opening
through the peripheral crown wall to facilitate the placement of an
ponytail trough the opening.
[0007] Several embodiments of the headwear piece according to the
invention are presented in the dependent claims 2 to 25.
[0008] In a first advantageous embodiment of the invention both the
first opening and the second opening through at least one of the
peripheral crown wall and the top wall is completely surrounded by
at least one of the peripheral crown wall and the top wall. In this
first advantageous embodiment of the invention the both the first
enlarging means and the second enlarging means comprise entry means
provided on the crown for providing a closable entryway in the
crown in communication with the first opening through the
peripheral crown wall to allow an elongate ponytail to be placed in
the opening through the peripheral crown wall without threading the
ponytail lengthwise into the opening in the peripheral crown wall.
In this first advantageous embodiment both the &is closable
entryway and the second closable extends between the opening and
the bottom edge of the crown. In this first advantageous embodiment
the crown is defined by fabric and both the first means and the
second means for providing a closable entryway comprises two fabric
flaps each defining a portion of the crown outer surface and
includes joining means for releasable joining the flaps in mutually
overlying relationship.
[0009] In a second advantageous embodiment of the headwear piece of
the invention the crown is defined by fabric and both the enlarged
first opening through at least one of the peripheral crown wall and
the top wall and enlarged second opening through at least one of
the peripheral crown wall and the top wall the are completely
surrounded by at least one of the peripheral crown wall and the top
wall. In this second advantageous embodiment the first enlargening
means comprises first and second fabric flaps for closing a part of
said enlarged first opening to produce said first opening and
correspondingly for opening said part of said enlarged first
opening to produce said enlarged first opening, wherein said first
and second fabric flaps defining a portion of the crown outer and
includes joining means for releasable joining the first and second
flaps in mutually overlying relationship. In this second
advantageous embodiment the second enlarging means comprises third
and fourth fabric flaps for closing a part of said enlarged second
opening to produce said second opening and correspondingly for
opening said part of said enlarged second opening to produce said
enlarged second opening, wherein said third and fourth flaps
defining a portion of the crown outer surface and includes joining
means for releasable joining the third and fourth flaps in mutually
overlying relationship.
[0010] In a third advantageous embodiment of the headwear piece of
the invention the crown defined by fabric. In this third
advantageous embodiment the enlarged first opening is in
communication with the enlarged second opening and the enlarged
second opening is in communication with the enlarged first opening.
In this third advantageous embodiment the first enlargening means
comprises first and second fabric flaps for closing a part of said
enlarged first opening to produce said first opening and
correspondingly for said part of said enlarged first opening to
produce said enlarged first opening, wherein said first and second
fabric flaps defining a portion of the crown outer surface and
includes joining means for releasable joining the first and second
flaps in mutually overlying relationship. In this third
advantageous embodiment the second enlargening means comprises
third and fourth fabric flaps for closing a part of said enlarged
second opening to produce said second opening and correspondingly
for opening said part of said enlarged second opening to produce
said enlarged second opening, wherein said third and fourth flaps
defining a portion of the crown outer surface and includes joining
means for releasable joining the third and fourth flaps in mutually
overlying relationship. In this third advantageous embodiment the
first fabric flaps are joined together with the third fabric flaps
and the second fabric flaps are joined together with the fourth
fabric flaps.
[0011] The first enlargening means an the second enlargening means
can in addition to enlargening the openings through at least one of
the peripheral crown wall and the top wall also form adjustment
means for adjusting the size of the opening to accept the head of
the wearer in the crown.
[0012] The invention also provides for a fourth advantageous
embodiment of the headwear piece, which differs from the above
presented first, second and third advantageous embodiment of the
headwear piece of the invention, since in the fourth advantageous
embodiment of the invention is the first opening and the second
opening not completely surrounded by at least one of the peripheral
crown wall and the top wall.
[0013] Several advantageous embodiments of this headwear piece
according to the invention are presented in the independent claims
27 to 33.
[0014] In this fourth advantageous embodiment of the headwear
piece, the headwear piece comprises a first cutout through the
peripheral crown wall in the bottom edge. The first cutout is
provided with a first strap. The first cutout and the first strap
form together the perimeter of a first opening to allow passage
therethrough of a first ponytail on the head of a wearer with the
headwear piece in place on a wearer's head. In this fourth
advantageous embodiment of the headwear piece, the headwear piece
comprises in addition to the first cutout a second cutout through
the peripheral crown wall in the bottom edge. The second cutout is
provided with a second strap. The second cutout and the second
strap form together the perimeter of a second opening to allow
passage therethrough of a second ponytail on the head of a wearer
with the headwear piece in place on a wearer's head. The first
cutout and the second cutout are provided on opposite sides of the
front-to-back median of the crown. The first strap is an adjustable
strap for altering the distance between opposite edges of the first
cutout, and the second strap is an adjustable strap for altering
the distance between opposite edges of the second cutout.
[0015] The first strap of the first cutout and the second strap of
the second cutout can in addition form adjustment means for
adjusting the size of the opening to accept the head of the wearer
in the crown
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a headwear piece according to a
first advantageous embodiment of the invention in place on a
wearer's head;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of a headwear piece according to a
first advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
first advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
first advantageous embodiment of the invention and shows the
headwear piece with the enlarged first and second enlarged openings
produced;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the first advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the first advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the headwear piece shown in
FIG. 6 and show the headwear in a state where an enlarged fig is
produced;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the first advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the headwear piece shown in
FIG. 8 and show the headwear in a state where an enlarged opening
is produced;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to
variant of the first advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the first advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the first advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a side view of a headwear piece according to a
second advantageous embodiment of the invention in place on a
wearer's head;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a side view of a headwear piece according to a
second advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
second advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
second advantageous embodiment of the invention and shows the
headwear piece with the enlarged first and second enlarged openings
produced;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a side view of a headwear piece according to a
third advantageous embodiment of the invention in place on a
wearer's head;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a side view of a headwear piece according to a
third advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 19 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
third advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 20 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
third advantageous embodiment of the invention and shows the
headwear piece with the enlarged first and second enlarged openings
produced;
[0036] FIG. 21 is a side view of a headwear piece according to a
fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention in place on a
wearer's head;
[0037] FIG. 22 is a side view of a headwear piece according to a
fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 23 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 24 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 25 is a detailed view of the headwear piece shown in
FIG. 24 and show the headwear in a state where a cutout is
opened;
[0041] FIG. 26 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 27 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 28 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0044] FIG. 29 is a detailed view of the headwear piece shown in
FIG. 28 and show the headwear in a state where a cutout is
opened;
[0045] FIG. 30 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 31 is a detailed view of the headwear piece shown in
FIG. 30 and show the headwear in a state where a cutout is
opened;
[0047] FIG. 32 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 33 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0049] FIG. 34 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0050] FIG. 35 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 36 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 37 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0053] FIG. 38 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0054] FIG. 39 is a detailed view of the headwear piece shown in
FIG. 28 and show the headwear in a state where a cutout is
opened;
[0055] FIG. 40 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention;
[0056] FIG. 41 is a detailed view of the headwear piece shown in
FIG. 30 and show the headwear in a state where a cutout is opened;
and
[0057] FIG. 42 is a rear view of a headwear piece according to a
variant of the fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] The headwear piece 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 42 comprises a
crown 2 defining an opening 3 to accept the head 4 of a wearer (not
shown in the drawings).
[0059] The crown 2 dimensioned to extend from the back to the front
of a wearer's head 4. The crown 2 has a top and bottom, a
peripheral crown wall 5 having an annular configuration and a top
wall 6.
[0060] The headwear piece 1 comprises a first opening 7 through at
least one of the peripheral crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 to
allow passage therethrough of a first ponytail 8 on the head 4 of a
wearer with the headwear piece 1 in place on a wearer's head 4. The
headwear piece 1 also comprises a second opening 9 through at least
one of the peripheral crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 to allow
passage therethrough of a second ponytail 10 on the head 4 of a
wearer with the headwear piece 1 in place on a wearer's head 4.
[0061] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the first opening
7 is completely surrounded by at least one of the peripheral crown
wall 5 and the top wall 6 and the second opening 9 is completely
surrounded by at least one of the peripheral crown wall 5 and the
top wall 6.
[0062] The first opening 7 is provided on a first side of the
front-to-back median (not marked with a reference numeral) of the
crown 2 and the second opening 9 is provided on the opposite second
side of the front-to-back median of the crown 2.
[0063] The first opening 7 is provided with first enlarging means
11 for enlarging the first opening 7 to produce an enlarged first
opening 12 through at least one of the peripheral crown wall 5 and
the top wall 6 to facilitate the placement of the first ponytail 8
trough the first opening 7.
[0064] The second opening 9 is provided with second enlarging means
13 for enlarging the second opening 9 to produce an enlarged second
opening 14 through at least one of the peripheral crown wall 5 and
the top wall 6 to facilitate the placement of the second ponytail
10 trough the second opening 9.
[0065] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first advantageous embodiment of the
invention. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the first enlarging means 11 comprise
fist entry means 15 provided on the crown 2 for providing a first
closable entryway 16 in the crown 2 in communication with the first
opening 7 through the peripheral crown wall 5 to allow a first
elongate ponytail to be placed in the first opening 7 through the
peripheral crown wall 5 without threading the first ponytail 8
lengthwise into the first opening 7 in the peripheral crown wall
5.
[0066] In FIGS. 1 to 4, the second enlarging means 13 comprise
second entry means 17 provided on the crown 2 for providing a
second closable entryway 18 in the crown 2 in communication with
the second opening 9 through at least one of the peripheral crown
wall 5 and the top wall 6 to allow a second elongate ponytail to be
placed in the second opening 9 though at least one of the
peripheral crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 without threading the
second ponytail 10 lengthwise into the second opening 9.
[0067] In FIGS. 1 to 4, the first closable entryway 16 extends
between the first opening 7 and the bottom edge 19 of the crown 2
and the second closable entryway 18 extends between the second
opening 9 and the bottom edge 19 of the crown 2.
[0068] In FIGS. 1 to 4 the crown 2 is defined by fabric.
[0069] The first means for providing a closable entryway comprises
in FIGS. 1 to 4 first fabric flaps 20 and second fabric flaps 21
each defining a portion of the crown 2 outer surface and includes
first joining means 22 for releasable joining the first and second
flaps, preferably, but not necessarily, in mutually overlying
relationship.
[0070] The second means for providing a closable entryway comprises
in FIGS. 1 to 4 third fabric flaps 23 and fourth fabric flaps 24
each defining a portion of the crown 2 outer surface and includes
second joining means 25 for releasable joining the third and fourth
fabric flaps preferably, but not necessarily, in mutually overlying
relationship.
[0071] FIGS. 5 to 12 show variants of the headwear piece shown in
FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0072] The first joining means 22 and the second joining means 25
for releasable joining two fabric flaps of can comprise a
Velcro.RTM. strap 31 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0073] In FIGS. 8 and 9 the first joining means 22 and the second
joining means 25 comprise several co-operating buttons 32 arranged
at the fabric flaps for releasable joining two fabric flaps.
[0074] In FIG. 10 the first joining means 22 and the second joining
means 25 comprise magnets 33, for connecting the fabric flaps
together.
[0075] In FIG. 11 the first joining means 22 and the second joining
means 25 comprise fabric pieces 34 which can be tied to a knot 35
for connecting the fabric flaps together. Each of the fabric flaps
20, 21, 23 and 24 comprises in this embodiment advantageously an
integrated fabric piece 34, which can be tied to a knot 35 with
another fabric piece 34.
[0076] In FIG. 12 the first joining means 22 and the second joining
means 25 comprise a zipper 36 for releasable joining the fabric
flaps together.
[0077] Alternatively can the first closable entryway 16 extend
between the first opening 7 and the second opening 9 and the second
closable entryway 18 extend between the second opening 9 and the
bottom edge 19 of the crown 2. In this embodiment is the crown 2
preferably is defined by fabric. In this embodiment the first means
for providing a closable entryway preferably comprises first and
second fabric flaps 20, 21 each defining a portion of the crown 2
outer surface and includes first joining means 22 for releasable
joining the first and second flaps preferably, but not necessarily,
in mutually overlying relationship and the second means for
providing a closable entryway preferably comprises third and fourth
fabric flaps 23, 24 each defining a portion of the crown 2 outer
surface and includes second joining means 25 for releasable joining
the third and fourth flaps preferably, but not necessarily, in
mutually overlying relationship.
[0078] FIGS. 13 to 16 show a second advantageous embodiment of the
invention.
[0079] In this second advantageous embodiment of the headwear piece
1 of the invention the crown 2 is defined by fabric and both the
enlarged first opening 12 through at least one of the peripheral
crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 and enlarged second opening 14
through at least one of the peripheral crown wall 5 and the top
wall 6 the are completely surrounded by at least one of the
peripheral crown wall 5 and the top wall 6. In this second
advantageous embodiment the first enlargening means comprises first
and second fabric flaps 20, 21 for closing a part of said enlarged
first opening 12 to produce said first opening 7 and
correspondingly for opening said part of said enlarged first
opening 12 to produce said enlarged first opening 12, wherein said
first and second fabric flaps 20, 21 defining a portion of the
crown 2 outer surface and includes first joining means 22 for
releasable joining the first and second flaps preferably, but not
necessarily, in mutually overlying relationship. In this second
advantageous embodiment the second enlargening means comprises
third and fourth fabric flaps 23, 24 for closing a part of said
enlarged second opening 14 to produce said second opening 9 and
correspondingly for opening said part of said enlarged second
opening 14 to produce said enlarged second opening 14, wherein said
third and fourth flaps defining a portion of the crown 2 outer
surface and includes second joining means 25 for releasable joining
the third and fourth flaps preferably, but not necessarily, in
mutually overlying relationship.
[0080] Alternatively can only the enlarged first opening 12 through
at least one of the peripheral crown wall 5 and the top wall 6
being completely surrounded by the peripheral crown wall 5 and the
second opening 9 be provided with a second closable entryway 18
extending between the second opening 9 and the bottom edge 19 of
the crown 2.
[0081] In this alternative can the first enlargening means comprise
first and second fabric flaps 20, 21 for closing a part of said
enlarged first opening 12 to produce said first opening 7 and
correspondingly for opening said part of said enlarged first
opening 12 to produce said enlarged first opening 12, wherein said
first and second fabric flaps 20, 21 defining a portion of the
crown 2 outer surface and includes first joining means 22 for
releasable joining the first and second flaps preferably, but not
necessarily, in mutually overlying relationship.
[0082] In the second advantageous embodiment of the invention can
the first joining means 22 for releasable joining the first and
second flaps and/or the second joining means for releasable joining
the third and fourth flaps for example comprise such joining means,
which are presented in FIGS. 6 to 12.
[0083] FIGS. 17 to 20 show a third advantageous embodiment of the
invention.
[0084] In this third advantageous embodiment of the headwear piece
1 of the invention the crown 2 defined by fabric. In this third
advantageous embodiment the enlarged first opening 12 is in
communication with the enlarged second opening 14 and the enlarged
second opening 14 is in communication with the enlarged first
opening 12. In this third advantageous embodiment the first
enlargening means comprises first and second fabric flaps 20, 21
for closing a part of said enlarged first opening 12 to produce
said first opening 7 and correspondingly for opening said part of
said enlarged first opening 12 to produce said enlarged first
opening 12, wherein said first and second fabric flaps 20, 21
defining a portion of the crown 2 outer surface and includes first
joining means 22 for releasable joining the first and second flaps
preferably, but not necessarily, in mutually overlying
relationship. In this third advantageous embodiment the second
enlargening means comprises third and fourth fabric flaps 23, 24
for closing a part of said enlarged second opening 14 to produce
said second opening 9 and correspondingly for opening said part of
said enlarged second opening 14 to produce said enlarged second
opening 14, wherein said third and fourth flaps defining a portion
of the crown 2 outer surface and includes second joining means 25
for releasable joining the third and fourth flaps preferably, but
not necessarily, in mutually overlying relationship. In this third
advantageous embodiment the first fabric flaps 20 are joined
together with the third fabric flaps 23 and the second fabric flaps
21 are joined together with the fourth fabric flaps 24.
[0085] Alternatively can the first and the third fabric flaps in
this third advantageous embodiment be separate fabric flaps, i.e.
not joined together. Alternatively can the second and the fourth
fabric flaps 23, 24 in this third advantageous embodiment be
separate fabric flaps, i.e. not joined together.
[0086] In the third advantageous embodiment of the invention can
the first joining means 22 for releasable joining the first and
second flaps and/or the second joining means for releasable joining
the third and fourth flaps for example comprise such joining means,
which are presented in FIG. 6 to 12.
[0087] The headwear piece 1 of the invention is preferably, but not
necessarily a such that the crown 2 outer surface is substantially
uninterrupted by any opening at the front half of the crown 2.
[0088] The bottom of the first opening 7 through at least one of
the peripheral crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 is preferably, but
not necessarily, spaced at least a half inch (about 1 cm) upwardly
from the bottom edge 19 of the crown 2.
[0089] The bottom of the first opening 7 through at least one of
the peripheral crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 is preferably, but
not necessarily, spaced at least a half inch (about 1 cm) upwardly
from the bottom edge 19 of the crown 2 and the bottom of the second
opening 9 through at least one of the peripheral crown wall 5 and
the top wall 6 is preferably, but not necessarily spaced at least a
half inch (about 1 cm) upwardly from the bottom edge 19 of the
crown 2.
[0090] The first opening 7 through at least one of the peripheral
crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 has preferably, but not
necessarily, a diameter between 1 and 4 inches (2.5 and 10 cm).
[0091] The first opening 7 through at least one of the peripheral
crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 has preferably, but not
necessarily, a diameter between 2 and 3 inches (5 and 7.5 cm).
[0092] The first opening 7 through at least one of the peripheral
crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 has preferably, but not
necessarily, a diameter between 1 and 4 inches (2.5 and 10 cm), and
the second opening 9 in through at least one of the peripheral
crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 the peripheral crown wall 5 has
preferably, but not necessarily, a diameter between 1 and 4 inches
(2.5 and 10 cm).
[0093] The first opening 7 through at least one of the peripheral
crown wall 5 and the top wall 6 has preferably, but not
necessarily, a diameter between 2 and 3 inches (5 and 7.5 cm), and
the second opening 9 through at least one of the peripheral crown
wall 5 and the top wall 6 has preferably, but not necessarily, a
diameter between 2 and 3 inches (5 and 7.5 cm).
[0094] The headwear piece 1 comprises preferably, but not
necessarily a frontal bill 30.
[0095] FIGS. 21 to 23 show a fourth embodiment of a headwear piece
1 according to the invention.
[0096] The headwear piece 1 shown in FIGS. 21 to 23 comprises a
crown 2 defining an opening 2 to accept the head 4 of a wearer. The
crown 2 is dimensioned to extend from the back to the front of a
wearer's head 4. The crown 2 has a top and bottom, a peripheral
crown wall 5 having an annular configuration and a top wall 6. The
peripheral crown wall 5 has a bottom edge 19. The crown 2 has an
exposed outer surface;
[0097] The headwear piece 1 shown in FIGS. 21 to 23 comprises a
first cutout 26 through the peripheral crown wall 5 in the bottom
edge 19. The first cutout 26 is provided with a first strap 27. The
first cutout 26 and the first strap 27 forms together the perimeter
of a first opening 7 to allow passage therethrough of a first
ponytail 8 on the head 4 of a wearer with the headwear piece 1 in
place on a wearer's head 4.
[0098] The headwear piece 1 shown in FIGS. 21 to 23 also comprises
a second cutout 28 through the peripheral crown wall 5 in the
bottom edge 19. The second cutout 28 is provided with a second
strap 29. The second cutout 28 and the second strap 29 forms
together the perimeter of a second opening 9 to allow passage
therethrough of a second ponytail 10 on the head 4 of a wearer with
the headwear piece 1 in place on a wearer's head 4.
[0099] The first cutout 26 and the second cutout 28 are provided on
opposite sides of the front-to-back median of the crown 2.
[0100] At least the first strap 27 is preferably an adjustable
strap for altering the distance between opposite edges of the first
cutout 26.
[0101] In the headwear piece 1 shown in FIGS. 21 to 23 both the
first strap 27 is an adjustable strap for altering the distance
between opposite edges of the first cutout 26, and the second strap
29 is an adjustable strap for altering the distance between
opposite edges of the second cutout 28.
[0102] At least one of the first strap 27 and the second strap 26
may consist of two overlapping straps, of which the first is
fastened on one site of the cutout and of which the second is
fastened on the opposite site of the cutout and which are enable
with respect to each other in at least two positions so that the
length of the strap is adjustable. In such embodiment at least one
of the overlapping straps may be provided with fastening means for
releasable fastening the overlapping straps to each other. The
fastening means for releasable fasting the overlapping straps to
each other may be realized so that one of the overlapping straps is
provided with studs and the other overlapping strap is provided
with apertures for receiving the studs when the overlapping straps
are in a overlapping state. The fastening means for releasable
fastening the overlapping straps to each ether may also comprise a
Velcro.RTM. band for releasable fastening the overlapping straps to
each other as shown in FIG. 32.
[0103] At least one of the firm strap 27 and the second strap 26
may be a strap, which is fixedly fastened on one site of the cutout
and which is releasable fastenable on the opposite site of the
cutout in at least two positions preferably, but not necessarily,
by means fastening means, so that the width of the cutout can be
altered.
[0104] FIGS. 24 to 42 shows variants of the fourth advantageous
embodiment of the invention.
[0105] In FIGS. 24 to 25 the cutouts are provided with a lashing 37
so that the lashes forms the strap of the cutout. The crown is
provided with several holes 38 for the lashes on opposite sides of
the cutouts. The lashing may form a continuous loop as shown in
FIG. 24 or have two ends, as shown in FIG. 25, so that the lashing
is suitable for being be tied into a knot 39.
[0106] In FIG. 26 the straps are fixedly fastened on opposite sides
of the cutouts 26 and 28, but the straps 27 and 29 are made of a
flexible material, for example of a flexible fabric, so that the
distance between the opposite sides of the cutout and the length of
the straps 27 and 29 can flexible vary to facilitate placement of a
ponytail through the openings 7 and 9.
[0107] In FIG. 27 the straps are fixedly fastened on one of the
opposite sides of the cutout 26 and 28 and the straps can be
releasable fastened on the opposite side of the cutout 26 and 28 in
various predefined positions by means of several co-operating
buttons 40 provided on the crown 2 and the strap 27, 29 to
facilitate placement of a ponytail through the openings 7 and 9 and
so that the distance between the opposite sides of the cutout 26
and 28 can be varied.
[0108] In FIGS. 28 and 29 the straps both cutouts 26, 28 comprises
two strap portions 41 and 42, and 43 and 44, respectively. The
strap portions are fixedly fastened on opposite sides of the cutout
and the strap portions of the cutout can be releasable fastened to
each other in various portions by means of co-operating buttons 40
provided on both strap portions of a cutout to facilitate placement
of a ponytail through the openings 7 and 9 and so that the distance
between the opposite sides of the cutout 26 and 28 can be
varied.
[0109] In FIGS. 30 and 31 the straps of both cutouts 26, 28 are
made of two strap portions 41 and 42, and 43 and 44, respectively.
The strap portions are fixedly fastened on opposite sides of the
cutout. A first strap portion is provided with a ring 45 through
which the second strap portion of the cutout can be tread so the
second strap portion can be releasable fastened to itself in
various positions and form a closed loop of the second strap
portion. For releasable fastening the second strap portion to
itself and to form the closed loop, the second strap portion is
provided with fastening means 46, which may be a Velcro.RTM. strap
as shown in FIG. 31.
[0110] In FIG. 33 both cutouts are provided with a strap in the
form of a plastic two-part plastic buckle 47, which can be
repeatable opened and closed. In other words, the plastic two-part
buckle comprises a first buckle part 48 and a second buckle part
49, which can be releasable attached to the first buckle part. The
first plastic buckle part of the plastic buckle is fastened at one
side of the cutout and the second plastic buckle part of the
plastic buckle is fastened at the opposite side of the cutout. At
least one of the first buckle part 48 and the second buckle part 49
can be fastened by a strap portion at the crown. At least one of
the first buckle part 48 and the second buckle part 49 can be
releasable fastened by a strap portion at the crown. Woo
Jin-Duraflex in Korea makes suitable plastic two-part buckles.
[0111] In FIG. 34 both cutouts are provided with a strap, which is
fixedly fastened at one side of the cutout and which can be
releasable fastened at the opposite side of the cutout by means of
several holes 50 formed in the strap and a button 51 attached by
sewing to the crown 2, which button 51 can be tread through a
selected hole 50 in the strap to releasable attach the free end of
the strap 27 and 29 to the crown 2.
[0112] In FIG. 35 the headwear piece is provided with an adjustable
strap 52, which is releasable fixed by mean of fastening elements
53 at the annular peripheral crown wall 5 so the adjustable strap
52 extends over the part of the annular peripheral crown wall 5
having the first cutout 26 and second cutout 28. The adjustable
strap 52 is releasable fixed at the annular peripheral crown wall 5
by means of two fastening elements 53, so that the adjustable strap
52 can be releasable fixed to the fastening elements 53 at several
positions at the adjustable strap 52, which positions for example
as in FIG. 35 are defined by the teeth 54 of the adjustable strap
52. By fixing the fastening element 53 to the adjustable strap 52
at different distances from each other can the user adjust the size
of the opening 3 on the crown 2. Such adjustment mechanisms are for
example used in helmets.
[0113] In FIG. 36 the headwear piece is provided with an adjustable
annular collar 61, which surrounds the opening 3 of the crown 2 so
that the size of the opening 3 can be varied by adjusting the size
of the adjustable annular collar 61, more precisely by adjusting
the diameter of the adjustable annular collar 61. Alternatively cam
the adjustable annular collar 61 in FIG. 36 be an adjustable collar
portion 61, which do not completely surround the opening 3 of the
crown 2. In other words, the adjustable collar 61 can alternatively
only extend over the part of the opening 3 of the crown 2 at which
part the first cutout 26 and the second cutout 28 is disposed or
situated so that the size of the opening 3 can be varied by
adjusting the size of the adjustable collar portion 61, more
precisely by adjusting the length of the adjustable collar portion
61. In this alternative the adjustable collar portion 61 is
fastened to the crown 2. The adjustable collar 61 may comprise a
wire 62 which can be reeled up on a reel member 63 by rotating the
reel member so that the length of the adjustable collar decreases
and reeled off the reel member 63 in the other direction so that
the length of the adjustable collar increases. Such adjustable
collars are for example used in helmets.
[0114] In FIG. 37 the straps of both cutouts 26, 28 comprises two
strap portions 41 and 42, and 43 and 44, respectively. The strap
portions of one cutout are fixedly fastened on opposite sides of
the cutout. One of the strap portions 41, 42, 43 or 44 of the
cutout is provided with a tensioning buckle 55 made for example of
plastic through which the other soup portion 41, 42, 43 or 44 of
the cutout can be lead. The tensioning buckle can for example be a
plastic tensioning buckle of the type used in backpacks and similar
articles. Woo Jin-Duraflex in Korea makes suitable tensioning
buckles.
[0115] In FIGS. 38 and 39 the straps of both cutouts 26, 28 are
made of two strap portions 41 and 42, and 43 and 44, respectively.
The strap portions of one cutout are fixedly fastened on opposite
sides of the cutout. One of the strap portions of the cutout is
provided with several holes 58 and the other strap portion of the
cutout is provided with buckle having a ring 56 and a prong 57,
which prong can be inserted into a selected hole in the other strap
portion of the cutout.
[0116] In FIGS. 40 and 41 both cutouts are provided with a strap,
which is fixedly fastened on one side of the cutout and which
comprises a hook element 61 in the free opposite end. On the other
side, the crown is provided with several holes 59 at different
distances from the cutout. By placing the hook element strap trough
a selected hole in the crown, will the side of the cutout, at which
the strap is fastened be closer or more distant from the side of
the cutout, which is provided with the holes.
[0117] In FIG. 42 both cutouts are provided with a strap 27 and 29,
which is fixedly fastened on one side of the cutout. On the other
side of the cutout the crown is provided with a locking device 60
for releasable locking the free end of the strap to the crown at a
selected position of the strap.
[0118] Above some embodiments of the present invention have been
disclosed by way of example, but for a person skilled in the art it
will be clear that the invention is not limited to those alone, but
rather it can be modified in many different ways within the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *