U.S. patent application number 11/716498 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for solar fan hat with interchangeable ears.
Invention is credited to Mark Schneider.
Application Number | 20080222777 11/716498 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39761148 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080222777 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schneider; Mark |
September 18, 2008 |
Solar fan hat with interchangeable ears
Abstract
Hat with interchangeable ears with a head covering cap, a brim,
a solar cell, an electric motor, a motor holding member, a pair of
conducting wires, a fan blade, a pair of ear receiving members and
a pair of decorative ears. The brim is attached in a standard way
to the cap. The brim includes a centrally located aperture. The
motor holding member is attached to the top surface of the brim so
that the fan blade attached to the motor shaft resides half way
through the aperture. The sides of the cap include opposing
apertures that allow the ear receiving members to protrude through
the apertures. The ear receiving members are fixedly attached to
the cap sides. The ears include apertures that allow the ears to
removably snap onto the ear receiving members. The solar cell is
fixedly attached to the top most portion of the cap.
Inventors: |
Schneider; Mark; (Miami,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark Schneider
P.O. Box 25259, SJO 14407
Miami
FL
33102-5259
US
|
Family ID: |
39761148 |
Appl. No.: |
11/716498 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/008 20130101;
A42B 1/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.13 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20060101
A42B001/24 |
Claims
1. Hat with interchangeable ears comprising: a head covering cap; a
brim; a solar cell; an electric motor; a motor holding member; a
pair of conducting wires; a fan blade; a pair of ear receiving
members; a pair of decorative ears; said brim attached in a
standard way to said cap; said brim including a centrally located
aperture; said motor holding member attached to the top surface of
said brim so that said fan blade attached to said motor resides
half way through said aperture; the sides of said cap including
opposing apertures that allow said ear receiving members to
protrude through said apertures; said ear receiving members fixedly
attached to said cap sides; said ears including apertures that
allow said ears to removably snap onto said cap sides; said solar
cell fixedly attached to the top most portion of said cap; and said
conducting wires connecting said solar cell to said motor.
2. Hat with interchangeable ears as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
ears represent mouse ears.
3. Hat with interchangeable ears as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
ears represent flags.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates generally to the field of shade
producing hats and more specifically to a hat with interchangeable
ears.
[0005] Caps and hats of various types have been worn for thousands
of years by people to help keeps their heads shaded from hot summer
sun. More recently, Caps or hats that include fans powered by solar
cells have increased the cooling capacity of the hat. The fans are
either built into the hat or clip onto the hat.
[0006] Additionally, there have been decorative hats designed for
specific purposes. One such hat includes a pair of mouse ears so
that the wearer can resemble the popular cartoon character Mickey
Mouse.
[0007] No one to date has combined the features of a hat with
decorative ears along with a solar powered fan. Furthermore, no one
to date has designed a hat that allows the user to remove and
replace the ears for various purposes. For example, the user may be
attending a baseball game and decide to plug on baseball shaped
ears, or the user may be attending a NASCAR race and which to plug
in flag shaped ears that have the NASCAR logo on them.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary object of the invention is to provide a hat that
helps cool a person by the inclusion of a solar powered fan.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a hat that
provides a way to incorporate interchangeable ears.
[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of
illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed.
[0011] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
there is disclosed Hat with interchangeable ears comprising: a head
covering cap, a brim, a solar cell, an electric motor, a motor
holding member, a pair of conducting wires, a fan blade, a pair of
ear receiving members, a pair of decorative ears, said brim
attached in a standard way to said cap, said brim including a
centrally located aperture, said motor holding member attached to
the top surface of said brim so that said fan blade attached to
said motor shaft resides half way through said brim aperture, the
sides of said cap including opposing apertures that allow said ear
receiving members to protrude through said apertures, said ear
receiving members fixedly attached to said cap sides, said ears
including apertures that allow said ears to removably snap onto
said cap sides, said solar cell fixedly attached to the top most
portion of said cap, and said conducting wires connecting said
solar cell to said motor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front section view of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ear retaining portion of
the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention with baseball
ears in place.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention with football
ears in place.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention with NASCAR
ears in place.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific
details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in
virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or
manner.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the
invention 100. A hat is comprised of a cap portion 4 and a brim
portion 2. A solar cell 20 is attached to the top of the cap 4 B by
rivets 18, 22. a pair of insulated wire conductors 6 travels from
solar cell 20 to a motor 24 located in motor housing 10. The motor
housing 10 is held onto brim 2 by rivets 12. The motor turns a fan
blade 14. The blade is situated so that it is half way through an
aperture 8 in brim 2. In this way, the breeze created by the fan
can reach the wearer's face. The cap 4 also includes a pair of
stylized ears 16 22 that are commonly seen on a Mickey Mouse hat.
Mickey Mouse is a popular Disney character. The ears are made of
rigid molded plastic, either injection molded or vacuum formed. The
cap and brim are made of standard materials found in standard
baseball caps.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the invention 100. Ears 16, 22
are retained by ear retaining members 40, 42 and will be explained
in further detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. A sewn channel 48 helps direct
wire conductors 6 to the DC motor 24. Fan blade 14 can be seen
protruding partly down below the lower surface of brim 2.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front section view as defined by section line 50
shown in FIG. 2. The brim 2 and motor 24 are not shown for clarity
purposes. This view shows ear retaining members 40, 42 held to cap
portion 4 by rivets 62. The flexible tabs 44 on ear retaining
members 40, 42 protrude through apertures 76 in a snap fit so that
the barbs on tabs 44 engage the top edge of aperture 76 and hold
the ear 22, 16 in place until and unless the user decides to remove
the ears 22, 16 by squeezing in on the tabs 44 thereby dislodging
the ears 22, 16 from the ear retaining members 40, 42. In this way,
the user, or a manufacturer has the ability to place a variety of
decorative ears on a cap as described above. The ear retaining
member 42 also includes a U shaped wire guide 46 that helps keep
wire conductors 6 in place as they travel to the motor 24.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an ear retaining member
42. Flexible tabs 44 can be clearly seen as can wire guide 46.
Rivets 62 are placed through apertures 48 and also through cap 4 to
hold ear retaining member 42 fixedly in place on cap 4.
[0025] Other standard means for removing and replacing
interchanging ears 22, 16 can be utilized such as standard snap
fasteners, hook and loop type fasteners, magnets or quarter turn
twist type fasteners.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a version of the
invention 200 with baseball type ears 202, 204 in place on cap
4.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a version of the
invention 300 with a graphic display on the ears 302, 304
representing "Defense", as used in Football games.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a version of the
invention 400 with flag type ears 402, 404 that may be appropriate
for NASCAR fans.
[0029] Additional ear designs can be envisioned for other sporting
events or theme parks. Because the ears are removable, they can be
packed within the hat for compact shipping and storage.
[0030] While the invention has been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it
is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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