U.S. patent application number 12/039059 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for multi-function headband.
Invention is credited to Timothy S. Dolby.
Application Number | 20080216211 12/039059 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39740123 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dolby; Timothy S. |
September 11, 2008 |
MULTI-FUNCTION HEADBAND
Abstract
A multifunction headband comprising a main body portion and a
plurality of appendages extending from the main body portion. In
this embodiment the main body portion is configured to cover a
portion of the back of a user's neck, and the plurality of
appendages is configured to secure the headband about a user's head
and neck. This embodiment comprises a first ear protection
appendage and a second ear protection appendage, which are each
configured to cover one of the user's ears and a portion of the
user's head. This embodiment further comprises a first neck
protection appendage and a second neck protection appendage, which
each comprise a free end and are configured to cover a portion of
the user's neck.
Inventors: |
Dolby; Timothy S.; (Grand
Junction, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FROST BROWN TODD, LLC
2200 PNC CENTER, 201 E. FIFTH STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
39740123 |
Appl. No.: |
12/039059 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11714024 |
Mar 5, 2007 |
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12039059 |
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29293648 |
Dec 4, 2007 |
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11714024 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/206 ; 2/207;
2/209; 2/209.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/0186
20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/206 ; 2/207;
2/209; 2/209.11 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/18 20060101
A42B001/18; A42B 5/00 20060101 A42B005/00; A42B 1/06 20060101
A42B001/06; A42B 1/00 20060101 A42B001/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-function headband comprising: a main body portion,
wherein the main body portion is configured to be positioned
adjacent to the back of a user's neck during use; and a plurality
of appendages extending from the main body portion, wherein the
plurality of appendages is configured to secure the multi-function
headband about a user's head and neck, wherein the plurality of
appendages comprises: a first ear protection appendage, wherein the
first ear protection appendage comprises a free end, wherein the
first ear protection appendage is configured such that the free end
may be placed on the crown of the user's head, thereby covering a
first one of the user's ears and a first portion of user's head, a
second ear protection appendage, wherein the second ear protection
appendage comprises a free end, wherein the second ear protection
appendage is configured such that the free end may be placed on the
crown of the user's head, thereby covering a second one of the
user's ears and a second portion of the user's head, wherein the
second ear protection appendage is configured to overlap at least a
portion of the first ear protection appendage and be releasably
attached to the first ear protection appendage, a first neck
protection appendage, wherein the first neck protection appendage
comprises a free end, wherein the first neck protection appendage
is configured such that the free end may be positioned about the
front of the user's neck, thereby covering a first portion of the
user's neck, and a second neck protection appendage, wherein the
second neck protection appendage comprises a free end, wherein the
second neck protection appendage is configured such that the free
end may be positioned about the front of the user's neck, wherein
the second neck protection appendage is configured to overlap at
least a portion of the first neck protection appendage and be
releasably attached to the first neck protection appendage.
2. The multi-function headband of claim 1, wherein the main body
portion and the plurality of appendages are one-piece.
3. The multi-function headband of claim 1 further comprising at
least one pocket.
4. The multi-function headband of claim 3, wherein the at least one
pocket is configured to retain a temperature influencing
device.
5. The multi-function headband of claim 4, wherein the temperature
influencing device comprises a gel pack, wherein the gel pack is
capable of being heated or cooled prior to insertion in the at
least one pocket.
6. The multi-function headband of claim 1, wherein the main body
portion further comprises an inner surface and an outer surface,
wherein each of the plurality of appendages comprises an inner
surface and an outer surface.
7. The multi-function headband of claim 6, further comprising a
plurality of pockets, wherein a first pocket is positioned on the
inner surface of the main body portion, wherein a second pocket is
positioned on the inner surface of the first ear protection
appendage, wherein a third pocket is positioned on the inner
surface of the second ear protection appendage.
8. The multi-function headband of claim 6, wherein the first ear
protection appendage comprises a first hook and loop fastener
positioned on the inner surface of the first ear protection
appendage, wherein the second ear protection appendage comprises a
second hook and loop fastener positioned on the outer surface of
the second ear protection appendage, wherein the first hook and
loop fastener and the second hook and loop fastener are configured
to releasably attach the first ear protection appendage to the
second ear protection appendage.
9. The multi-function headband of claim 6, wherein the first neck
protection appendage comprises a first hook and loop fastener
positioned on the inner surface of the first neck protection
appendage, wherein the second neck protection appendage comprises a
second hook and loop fastener positioned on the outer surface of
the second neck protection appendage, wherein the first hook and
loop fastener and the second hook and loop fastener are configured
to releasably attach the first neck protection appendage to the
second neck protection appendage.
10. The multi-function headband of claim 6, wherein the first ear
protection appendage comprises a piece of release-sheet-protected
tape positioned on the inner surface of the free end of the first
ear protection appendage, wherein the piece of
release-sheet-protected tape is configured to selectively engage
the outer surface of the free end of the second ear protection
appendage thereby releasably attaching the first ear protection
appendage to the second ear protection appendage.
11. The multi-function headband of claim 6, wherein the first neck
protection appendage comprises a piece of release-sheet-protected
tape positioned on the inner surface of the free end of the first
neck protection appendage, wherein the piece of
release-sheet-protected tape is configured to selectively engage
the outer surface of the free end of the second neck protection
appendage thereby releasably attaching the first neck protection
appendage to the second neck protection appendage.
12. The multi-function headband of claim 1, wherein the
multi-function headband further comprises a material, wherein the
material is selected from the group consisting of cloth, fleece,
polyester, leather, polypropylene fabric, Neoprene.TM., Kevlar.TM.,
paper fabric material, organic materials, moisture absorbent
material, Gore-Tex.TM., Novathin.TM., water resistant material,
weather resistant material, heat resistant material, flame
resistant material, Nomex.TM., heat/flame retardant material,
Firewear.TM., Excel-FR.TM., netting material, elastic ribbing, and
combinations thereof.
13. A multi-function headband comprising: a neck protector, wherein
the neck protector is configured to be positioned adjacent to the
back of a user's neck during use; an attachment apparatus, wherein
the attachment apparatus extends from the neck protector, wherein
the attachment apparatus is configured to replaceably maintain the
multi-function headband around the head of the user, wherein the
attachment apparatus comprises a first attachment appendage and a
second attachment appendage, wherein the first attachment appendage
comprises a free end, wherein the second attachment appendage
comprises a free end, wherein the first attachment appendage and
the second attachment appendage are configured such that the
respective free ends overlap thereby releasably attaching the first
attachment appendage to the second attachment appendage; and a
plurality of appendages extending from the main body portion,
wherein the plurality of appendages is configured to secure the
multi-function headband about a user's neck, wherein the plurality
of appendages comprises: a first neck protection appendage, wherein
the first neck protection appendage comprises a free end, wherein
the first neck protection appendage is configured such that the
free end may be positioned about the front of the user's neck,
thereby covering a first portion of the user's neck, and a second
neck protection appendage, wherein the second neck protection
appendage comprises a free end, wherein the second neck protection
appendage is configured such that the free end may be positioned
about the front of the user's neck, wherein the second neck
protection appendage is configured to overlap at least a portion of
the first neck protection appendage and be releasably attached to
the first neck protection appendage.
14. The multi-function headband of claim 13, wherein the neck
protector further comprises an inner surface and an outer surface,
wherein each of the first attachment member and the second
attachment member comprise an inner surface and an outer surface,
wherein each of the plurality of appendages comprises an inner
surface and an outer surface.
15. The multi-function headband of claim 14, wherein the first
attachment appendage comprises a piece of release-sheet-protected
tape positioned on the inner surface of the free end of the first
attachment appendage, wherein the piece of release-sheet-protected
tape is configured to selectively engage the outer surface of the
free end of the second attachment appendage thereby releasably
attaching the first attachment appendage to the second attachment
appendage.
16. The multi-function headband of claim 14, wherein the first neck
protection appendage comprises a first hook and loop fastener
positioned on the inner surface of the first neck protection
appendage, wherein the second neck protection appendage comprises a
second hook and loop fastener positioned on the outer surface of
the second neck protection appendage, wherein the first hook and
loop fastener and the second hook and loop fastener are configured
to releasably attach the first neck protection appendage to the
second neck protection appendage.
17. The multi-function headband of claim 14, further comprising a
plurality of pockets, wherein a first pocket is positioned on the
inner surface of the neck protector, wherein a second pocket is
positioned on the inner surface of the first neck protection
appendage, wherein a third pocket is positioned on the inner
surface of the second neck protection appendage.
18. The multi-function headband of claim 1, wherein the
multi-function headband further comprises a material, wherein the
material is selected from the group consisting of cloth, fleece,
polyester, leather, polypropylene fabric, Neoprene.TM., Kevlar.TM.,
paper fabric material, organic materials, moisture absorbent
material, Gore-Tex.TM., Novathin.TM., water resistant material,
weather resistant material, heat resistant material, flame
resistant material, Nomex.TM., heat/flame retardant material,
Firewear.TM., Excel-FR.TM., netting material, elastic ribbing, and
combinations thereof.
19. A multi-function headband comprising: a neck protector, wherein
the neck protector is configured to be positioned adjacent to the
back of a user's neck during use; an attachment apparatus, wherein
the attachment apparatus extends from the neck protector, wherein
the attachment apparatus is configured to replaceably maintain the
multi-function headband around the head of the user, wherein the
attachment apparatus comprises a first attachment appendage and a
second attachment appendage, wherein the first attachment appendage
comprises a free end, wherein the second attachment appendage
comprises a free end, wherein the first attachment appendage and
the second attachment appendage are configured such that the
respective free ends overlap thereby releasably attaching the first
attachment appendage to the second attachment appendage; and a pair
of ear muffs, wherein the pair of ear muffs extend from the
attachment apparatus, wherein the ear muffs are configured to be
positioned adjacent to a user's ears.
20. The multi-function headband of claim 19, wherein each of the
first attachment appendage and the second attachment appendage
comprise an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first
attachment appendage comprises a first hook and loop fastener
positioned on the inner surface of the first attachment appendage,
wherein the second attachment appendage comprises a second hook and
loop fastener positioned on the outer surface of the second
attachment appendage, wherein the first hook and loop fastener and
the second hook and loop fastener are configured to releasably
attach the first attachment appendage to the second attachment
appendage thereby replaceably maintaining the multi-function
headband around the head of the user.
21. A multi-function headband comprising: a main body portion,
wherein the main body portion comprises a v-shaped flat
configuration, wherein the main body portion comprises a first
portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is longer
than the second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a
first free end, wherein the second portion comprises a second free
end; and an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism
is configured to releasably attach the first portion to the second
portion; wherein the main body portion is configured to be wrapped
around a user's head thereby protecting the user's ears, wherein
the first free end is positioned proximal to the second free end
during use thereby allowing the attachment mechanism to attach the
first portion to the second portion, wherein the user may adjust
the main body portion by releasing the first portion from the
second portion and reattaching the first portion to the second
portion; wherein the multi-function headband is disposable.
22. The multi-function headband of claim 21 comprising paper fabric
material, wherein the attachment mechanism is selected from the
group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, a piece of
release-sheet-protected tape, adhesive, buttons, snaps, file folder
tabs, and combinations thereof.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application incorporates by reference and is a
continuation in part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.
11/714,024 filed Mar. 5, 2007. This application also incorporates
by reference and is a continuation in part of U.S. Design patent
application Ser. No. 29/293,648 entitled "Head Garment" filed on
Dec. 4, 2007.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a
headband, and more particularly, a multi-function headband. A
variety of types of headbands have been made and used over the
years. Such headbands and other headgear have been provided in a
variety of configurations. While a variety of headbands have been
made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor has
made or used the invention described in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] While the specification concludes with claims which
particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is
believed the present invention will be better understood from the
following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
identify the same elements and in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user wearing an exemplary
multi-function headband.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multi-function headband shown
in FIG. 1 showing the outer surface thereof.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the multi-function headband shown
in FIG. 1 showing the inner surface thereof.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the multi-function headband
shown if FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the multi-function headband shown
in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a front view of the multi-function headband shown
in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a user wearing an exemplary
alternate multi-function headband.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a front view of a user wearing the multi-function
headband shown in FIG. 7.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a right side view of a user wearing the
multi-function headband shown in FIG. 7.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a left side view of a user wearing the
multi-function headband shown in FIG. 7.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a rear view of a user wearing the multi-function
headband shown in FIG. 7.
[0015] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a user wearing the multi-function
headband shown in FIG. 7.
[0016] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an another exemplary
alternate multi-function headband.
[0017] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the multi-function headband shown
in FIG. 13 in a flat configuration.
[0018] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a modified version of the
multi-function headband shown in FIG. 1, with a removable face mask
attached thereto.
[0019] FIG. 16 is a front view of a modified version of the
multi-function headband shown in FIG. 7, with a removable face mask
attached thereto.
[0020] FIG. 17 is a right side view of the modified multi-function
headband shown in FIG. 16.
[0021] FIG. 18 is a left side view of the modified multi-function
headband shown in FIG. 16.
[0022] FIG. 19 is a right side view of a modified version of the
multi-function headband shown in FIG. 16 with the removable face
mask unattached.
[0023] FIG. 20 is a right side view of the modified multi-function
headband shown in FIG. 19 with the face mask attached in a storage
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Turning to the drawings, wherein like numerals denote like
components throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-6 depict an
exemplary embodiment of a multi-function headband 10 configured to
be worn by a user about the user's head thereby protecting the
user's ears, at least a portion of the user's head, and the user's
neck. While the user is preferably a human being, headband 10 may
also be configured to be used by animals, such as dogs and horses.
Headband 10 may be configured to protect the covered portions of
the user from the weather, dampen or eliminate exterior sounds, or
perform any other suitable function. In the illustrated version,
headband 10 comprises a main body portion 20 with a plurality of
appendages extending from main body portion 20. In this version,
headband 10 includes a first ear protection appendage 30, a second
ear protection appendage 40, a first neck protection appendage 50
and a second neck protection appendage 60. As shown, headband 10
comprises a unitary piece of material. However, this one-piece
construction is not required. In addition, in this example,
Headband 10 comprises an inner surface 12 and an outer surface 14.
Headband 10 may include stuffing, padding, or any other suitable
material between inner surface 12 and outer surface 14 to provide
additional protection or comfort. Additionally, headband 10 may be
configured to house electronics between inner surface 12 and outer
surface 14. By way of example only, the electronics may comprise
headphones built in to the ear protection appendages 30, 40 and
positioned to provide sound to the user. The headphones may be
configured to communicate with a portable electronic device, such
as an mp3 player, Ipod.TM., radio, personal digital assistant,
cellular phone, or any other suitable device via a hard-wired
connection, Bluetooth.TM. technology or any other suitable method
or technology. The electronics may also comprise warming elements,
cooling elements, LED lights or any other suitable device
positioned in one or more portions of the headband 10.
[0025] Headband 10 may be made of cloth, fleece, polyester,
leather, polypropylene fabric, Neoprene.TM. (polychloroprene fibers
sold by DuPont), paper fabric material, organic materials (such as,
for example a bamboo/cotton combination), moisture absorbent
material, Gore-Tex.TM. (manufactured and sold by W.L. Gore &
Associates, Inc.), Novathin.TM., Kevlar.TM. (manufactured and sold
by DuPont), or any other suitable material, including combinations
thereof. For certain applications, headband 10 may comprise
material resistant to specific elements, such as, for example water
or weather resistant material, heat or flame resistant material,
such as Nomex.TM. fiber material manufactured and sold by DuPont,
or heat or flame retardant material, such as Firewear.TM. fiber
material and Excel-FR.TM. fiber material manufactured and sold by
Bulwark Protective Apparel. Headband 10 may also comprise a design,
such as camouflage, printed onto the material to help the user
blend into the surrounding environment. The design may be applied
to material using any suitable method or process.
[0026] As used herein, the term "paper fabric material" refers to
materials commonly used for paper towels, shop rags, tissues, or
any other similar product. In particular, "paper fabric material"
includes but is not limited to a material comprising latex and
cellulose that is soft and absorbent, such as a product referred to
as DRC manufactured by Treco Fibematics. In addition "paper fabric
material" also includes but is not limited to paper products, such
as tissue paper, with a synthetic backing, such as polyethylene,
configured to be absorbent on one side and capable of repelling
moisture on the other side. A specific example of this type of
material is referred to as Polybacked Spunlace or Polybacked Scrim
Reinforced Material manufactured by Treco Fibematics. Embodiments
of headbands made out of paper fabric material may be considered
disposable due to the low material cost.
[0027] In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the headband may
comprise a mesh, netting material. The netting material may be
configured to prevent bugs or other elements from contacting the
user's skin, while simultaneously facilitating regulation of the
user's body temperature by allowing air to easily reach the user's
skin. In this embodiment, the entire headband may comprise netting
material, or one or more portions of the headband may comprise
netting material. In particular, in one embodiment the flap 22 may
comprise netting while the other portions of the headband comprise
an alternate material, such as fleece.
[0028] In yet another alternate embodiment (not shown), the
headband may comprise elastic ribbing. The elastic ribbing may be
configured to provide increased flexibility and facilitate
stretching of the headband around the user's head and/or neck
during application, while also providing a more snug, closer fit to
the user's head during use. In this embodiment, the entire headband
may comprise elastic ribbing, or one or more portions of the
headband may comprise elastic ribbing.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, main body portion 20 comprises a flap
22 that extends below first neck protection appendage 50 and second
neck protection appendage 60. In this version, main body portion 20
is configured to be placed adjacent to the back of a user's head,
thereby covering a portion of the user's head and allowing flap 22
to cover the user's neck. Flap 22 may be of sufficient dimensions
so as to cover a portion of user's shoulders and extend down the
user's back, however this is not required. In this example, main
body portion 20 includes a pocket 24 positioned on inner surface 12
such that pocket 24 is disposed adjacent to the back of the user's
head and neck during use. Pocket 24 may be configured to receive a
temperature influencing device (not shown). A temperature
influencing device may be any device operable to affect the
temperature of the surrounding area, including but not limited to
heat packs, ice packs, heatable gel packs, freezeable gel packs,
and any other suitable device. Although the illustrated version
includes one pocket 24 in main body 20, any suitable number of
pockets in any suitable orientation may be used.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, first ear protection
appendage 30 and second ear protection appendage 40 extend
substantially vertically from main body portion 20. As shown in
FIG. 1, first ear protection appendage 30 and second ear protection
appendage 40 are configured to be wrapped around the user's head,
thereby covering a portion of the user's head and the user's ears.
In this version, first ear protection appendage 30 terminates in a
free end 32, and second ear protection appendage 40 terminates in a
free end 42. First ear protection appendage 30 and second ear
protection appendage 40 may be configured to allow the free ends
32, 42 to be placed upon the top of the user's head such that
second ear protection appendage 40 overlaps at least a portion of
first ear protection appendage 30. First ear protection appendage
30 may be configured to be releasably attached to second ear
protection appendage 40 using hook and loop fasteners, a piece of
release-sheet-protected tape, adhesive, buttons, snaps, or any
other suitable method or device. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, first
ear protection appendage 30 comprises a hook and loop fastener 34
disposed on the outer surface 14, and second ear protection
appendage 40 comprises a hook and loop fastener 44 disposed on the
inner surface 12. As first ear protection appendage 30 and second
ear protection appendage 40 overlap, the hook and loop fasteners
34, 44 engage one another thereby securing headband 10 about the
user's head.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, headband 10 comprises pockets 36
and 46 positioned on inner surface 12 of first ear protection
appendage 30 and second ear protection appendage 40, respectively.
In this example, pockets 36 and 46 are configured to be positioned
adjacent to the user's ears during use. Similar to pocket 24,
pockets 36 and 46 may be configured to receive a temperature
influencing device (not shown). Although the illustrated version
includes one pocket 36 on first ear protection appendage 30 and one
pocket 46 on second ear protection appendage 40, any suitable
number of pockets in any suitable orientation may be used.
[0032] Headband 10 may be configured to be releasably attached to a
head protector, such as a hard hat, helmet, or any other device
configured to cover and protect at least a portion of the user's
head. In such an embodiment, at least one of the first ear
protection appendage 30 and the second ear protection appendage 40
is configured to be releasably attached to the suspension or
interior surface of the head protector. It will be appreciated that
the hard hat may be releasably attached to the headband 10 using
any suitable method or device well known within the art, including,
but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, cloth tabs, snaps,
buttons, adhesive, a piece of release-sheet-protected tape and
combinations thereof.
[0033] In this example, first neck protection appendage 50 and
second neck protection appendage 60 extend substantially
horizontally from main body portion 20. As shown in FIG. 1, first
neck protection appendage 50 and second neck protection appendage
60 are configured to be wrapped around the neck of the user,
thereby insulating at least a portion of the user's neck from the
weather. In this version, first neck protection appendage 50
terminates in a free end 52, and second neck protection appendage
60 terminates in a free end 62. First neck protection appendage 50
and second neck protection appendage 60 may be configured to allow
the free ends 52, 62 to be wrapped around the user's neck
underneath the user's chin such that second neck protection
appendage 60 overlaps at least a portion of first neck protection
appendage 50. First neck protection appendage 50 may be configured
to be releasably attached to second neck protection appendage 60
using hook and loop fasteners, a piece of release-sheet-protected
tape, adhesive, buttons, snaps, or any other suitable method or
device. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, first neck protection appendage
50 comprises a hook and loop fastener 54 disposed on the outer
surface 14, and second neck protection appendage 60 comprises a
hook and loop fastener 64 disposed on the inner surface 12. As
first neck protection appendage 50 and second neck protection
appendage 60 overlap, the hook and loop fasteners 54, 64 engage one
another thereby releasably securing headband 10 about the user's
neck.
[0034] In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the headband
comprises at least one pocket positioned on the inner surface of
first neck protection appendage and at least one pocket positioned
on the inner surface of second neck protection appendage. The
pockets may be similar to pockets 22, 36 and 46 described above.
Pockets may be configured to receive a temperature influencing
device and to be positioned adjacent to the side of the user's neck
during use. Any suitable number and orientation of pockets may be
used.
[0035] At least one of the pockets may be configured to receive one
or more alternate devices or objects, in addition to the
temperature influencing devices described above. By way of example
only, pockets may be configured to receive a device configured to
be used in aromatherapy, a dispersal device, including but not
limited to a hot or cold pack configured to release medicine, or
any other suitable medicinal object or device. Similarly, pockets
may be configured to receive a moisture absorbing member configured
to facilitate absorption of moisture from the user's forehead, neck
and/or head. The moisture absorbing member may comprise an
absorbent material, such as Novathin.TM. manufactured and sold by
EAM Corporation, polymer cellulose paper, polymer beads, or any
other suitable material.
[0036] In yet another alternate embodiment, at least one of the
pockets may be configured to receive a portable electronic device,
such as an mp3 player, Ipod.TM., radio, personal digital assistant,
cellular phone, or any other suitable electronic device.
Alternatively, at least one of the pockets may be configured to
receive a hardware device in communication with one or more
portable electronic devices, such as earphones, a microphone, a
speaker, or any other suitable devices. The hardware device may be
configured to communicate with the portable electronic device via
Bluetooth.TM. technology, a hard-wired connection, or any other
suitable method or technology.
[0037] In yet another alternate embodiment (not shown), first ear
protection member and second ear protection member are configured
to wrap around a user's head in a substantially horizontal
direction, resulting in the free ends overlapping on the user's
forehead. The other components of the headband may function as
described above or otherwise.
[0038] FIGS. 7-12 depict an alternate embodiment of a
multi-function headband 110 configured to be strapped around the
forehead of the user. Headband 110 comprises a retaining band 120,
an attachment member, 130, a right side panel 140, a left side
panel 150, and a rear panel 160. Headband 110 may comprise one or
more of the following: cloth, fleece, polyester, leather,
polypropylene fabric, Neoprene.TM., Kevlar.TM., paper fabric
material, organic materials (such as, for example a bamboo/cotton
combination), moisture absorbent material, Gore-Tex.TM.,
Novathin.TM., water/weather resistant material, heat/flame
resistant material, Nomex.TM., heat/flame retardant material,
Firewear.TM., Excel-FR.TM., netting material, elastic ribbing, or
any other suitable material, including combinations thereof.
[0039] In this version, retaining band 120 is configured to
encircle the user's head leaving the top of the user's head
exposed. Retaining band 120 may comprise elastic bands or any other
suitable device configured to provide flexibility and to allow the
retaining band to retain a snug fit around the user's head.
[0040] In the illustrated version, attachment member 130 is
configured to wrap around the forehead of the user thereby
overlapping at least a portion of retaining band 120. Attachment
member 130 is configured to releasably attach to retaining band 120
thereby securing headband 110 to the user's head. Attachment member
130 may releasably attach to retaining band 120 using hook and loop
fasteners, a piece of release-sheet-protected tape, adhesive,
buttons, snaps, or any other suitable method or device, including
combinations thereof. The attachment member 130 may be configured
to allow the user to adjust the headband 110 to achieve a desired
fit.
[0041] Headband 110 may be configured to be releasably attached to
a head protector, such as a hard hat, helmet, or any other device
configured to cover and protect at least a portion of the user's
head. In such an embodiment, at least one of the retaining band
120, attachment member 130, right side panel 140, left side panel
150, and rear panel 160 is configured to be releasably attached to
the suspension or interior surface of the head protector. It will
be appreciated that the hard hat may be releasably attached to the
headband 110 using any suitable method or device well known within
the art, including, but not limited to hook and loop fasteners,
cloth tabs, snaps, buttons, adhesive, a piece of
release-sheet-protected tape and combinations thereof.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 7-12, right side panel 140 depends from
retaining band 120. In the illustrated version, right side panel
140 is triangular, however any other suitable shape may be used. In
this example, right side panel 140 is configured to cover at least
a portion of the side of the user's head and at least a portion of
the user's ear. Similarly, in this version, left side panel 150
depends from retaining band 120 and is configured to cover at least
a portion of the side of user's head and at least a portion of the
user's ear. Left side panel 150 is also triangular in the
illustrated version, however any suitable shape may be used.
[0043] In this example, rear panel 160 depends from retaining band
120 and extends from right side panel 140 to left side panel 150.
As shown, rear panel 160 is configured to cover at least a portion
of the rear of the user's head and at least a portion of the user's
neck. Rear panel 160 may be configured to extend past user's neck
and cover at least a portion of user's back and shoulders.
[0044] One or more portions of headband 110 may be configured to
house electronics. By way of example only, the electronics may
comprise headphones built in to the right side panel 140 and left
side panel 150 and positioned to provide sound to the user. The
headphones may be configured to communicate with a portable
electronic device, such as an mp3 player, Ipod.TM., radio, personal
digital assistant, cellular phone, or any other suitable device via
a hard-wired connection, Bluetooth.TM. technology or any other
suitable method or technology. The electronics may also comprise
warming elements, cooling elements, led lights or any other
suitable device positioned in one or more portions of the headband
110.
[0045] In an alternate version, shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, headband
210 is configured to be wrapped around a user's head and comprises
a sleeve 220 including a pair of free ends 222, 224 and an
attachment mechanism 230. Headband 210 may be positioned so as to
protect the user's ears and at least a portion of the user's head.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, while flat and with free
ends 222, 224 not attached to each other, headband 210 has a
substantially v-shaped configuration comprising a first portion 212
and a second portion 214. In this example, first portion 212 is
longer than the second portion. Attachment mechanism 230 may be
positioned on at least one of free ends 222, 224 to allow first
portion 212 to be releasably attached to second portion 214 when
first portion 212 is positioned proximal to second portion 214.
First portion 212 and second portion 214 may have substantially the
same length. Alternatively, one portion 212, 214 may be longer than
the other portion 212, 214.
[0046] During use, first portion 212 may be positioned such that
first free end 222 substantially abuts second free end 224, or,
alternatively, first portion 212 may be positioned such that first
portion 212 overlaps second portion 214. Attachment mechanism 230
may comprise hook and loop fasteners, a piece of
release-sheet-protected tape, adhesive, buttons, snaps, file folder
tabs, any other suitable method or device, or combinations thereof.
Attachment mechanism 230 may be configured to allow the user to
repeatedly adjust headband 210 to achieve a desirable fit. In this
version, headband 210 may comprise cloth, fleece, polyester,
leather, polypropylene fabric, Neoprene.TM., Kevlar.TM., paper
fabric material, organic materials (such as, for example a
bamboo/cotton combination), moisture absorbent material,
Gore-Tex.TM., Novathin.TM., water/weather resistant material,
heat/flame resistant material, Nomex.TM., heat/flame retardant
material, Firewear.TM., Excel-FR.TM., netting material, elastic
ribbing, or any other suitable material, including combinations
thereof. In one specific embodiment, the headband comprises an
inexpensive material, such as paper fabric material, so that the
headband is disposable after a single use.
[0047] Headband 210 may be configured to be releasably attached to
a head protector, such as a hard hat, helmet, or any other device
configured to cover and protect at least a portion of the user's
head. In such an embodiment, sleeve 220 is configured to be
releasably attached to the suspension or interior surface of the
head protector. It will be appreciated that the hard hat may be
releasably attached to the headband 210 using any suitable method
or device well known within the art, including, but not limited to
hook and loop fasteners, cloth tabs, snaps, buttons, adhesive, a
piece of release-sheet-protected tape and combinations thereof.
[0048] FIGS. 15-20 depict various embodiments of multi-function
headbands that include a removable face mask. It will be
appreciated that the removable face mask may comprise breathing
holes, slits, or strips or any other similar feature. In FIG. 15,
headband 310 is similar to headband 10 described above, except for
the addition of face mask 370. In this embodiment, headband 310
comprises a main body portion 320, a first ear protection appendage
330, a second ear protection appendage 340, a first neck protection
appendage 350 and a second neck protection appendage 360. As shown,
face mask 370 is configured to be attached to first ear protection
appendage 330, wrapped around the user's face, and attached to
second ear protection appendage 340. Face mask 370 may be
configured to cover at least a portion of the user's face, such as
the user's cheeks, nose and mouth thereby protecting those portions
from the weather. It should be noted that face mask 370 may be
attached to any suitable portion of headband 310, such as, for
example main body portion 320, first neck protection appendage 350,
or second neck protection appendage 360. Face mask 370 may be
removably attached to first ear protection appendage 330 and second
ear protection appendage 340 using hook and loop fasteners, a piece
of release-sheet-protected tape, adhesive, buttons, snaps, file
folder tabs, any other suitable method or device, or combinations
thereof. When not in use, face mask 370 may be configured to be
completely removed from headband 310 or folded back to reveal the
user's face and attached to another portion of headband 310
(similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 and described
below). Face mask 370 may comprise the same material as the rest of
headband 310 or an alternate material. By way of example only face
mask 370 may comprise cloth, fleece, polyester, leather,
polypropylene fabric, Neoprene.TM., Kevlar.TM., paper fabric
material, organic materials (such as, for example a bamboo/cotton
combination), moisture absorbent material, Gore-Tex.TM.,
Novathin.TM., water/weather resistant material, heat/flame
resistant material, Nomex.TM., heat/flame retardant material,
Firewear.TM., Excel-FR.TM., netting material, elastic ribbing, or
any other suitable material, including combinations thereof.
[0049] FIGS. 16-18 depict headband 410, which is similar to
headband 110 described above, except for the addition of face mask
470. In this embodiment, headband 410 comprises a retaining band
420, an attachment member 430, a right side panel 440, a left side
panel 450, and a rear panel 460. As shown, face mask 470 is
configured to be attached to right side panel 440, wrapped around
the user's face, and attached to left side panel 450. Face mask 470
may be configured to cover at least a portion of the user's face,
such as the user's cheeks, nose and mouth thereby protecting those
portions from the weather. It should be noted that face mask 470
may be attached to any suitable portion of headband 410, such as,
for example retaining band 420, attachment member 430, or rear
panel 460. Face mask 470 may be removably attached to right side
panel 440 and left side panel 450 using hook and loop fasteners, a
piece of release-sheet-protected tape, adhesive, buttons, snaps,
file folder tabs, any other suitable method or device, or
combinations thereof. When not in use, face mask 470 may be
configured to be completely removed from headband 410 or folded
back to reveal the user's face and attached to another portion of
headband 410 (as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 and described below).
Face mask 470 may comprise the same material as the rest of
headband 310 or an alternate material. By way of example only face
mask 470 may comprise cloth, fleece, polyester, leather,
polypropylene fabric, Neoprene.TM., Kevlar.TM., paper fabric
material, organic materials (such as, for example a bamboo/cotton
combination), moisture absorbent material, Gore-Tex.TM.,
Novathin.TM., water/weather resistant material, heat/flame
resistant material, Nomex.TM., heat/flame retardant material,
Firewear.TM., Excel-FR.TM., netting material, elastic ribbing, or
any other suitable material, including combinations thereof.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 face mask 570 may be configured
to be stored on headband 510 when the user does not want his or her
face covered. In this embodiment, headband 510 comprises a
retaining band 520, an attachment member 530, a right side panel
440, a left side panel (not shown), and a rear panel 560. As shown,
headband 510 further comprises a first attachment member 572
positioned on right side panel 540 and a second attachment member
574 positioned on rear panel 560. In the illustrated version, first
attachment member 572 and second attachment member 574 are
configured to allow user to removably attach face mask 570 to
headband 510. First attachment member 572 and second attachment
member 574 may comprise hook and loop fasteners, pieces of
release-sheet-protected tape, adhesive, buttons, snaps, file folder
tabs, any other suitable method or device or combinations thereof.
Of course, attachment members 572, 574 may alternatively be
positioned at any other suitable location on headband 510. In
addition, similar attachment members may be provided on the
headband 310 shown in FIG. 15, permitting a user to reposition face
mask 370 from their face to a location on headband 310.
[0051] Having shown and described various embodiments of the
present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems
described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications
by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
scope of the present invention. Several of such potential
modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments,
geometries, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like
discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly,
the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of
the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the
details of structure and operation shown and described in the
specification and drawings.
* * * * *