U.S. patent application number 12/069987 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for securing device.
Invention is credited to Gina P. Zakarian.
Application Number | 20090199323 12/069987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40937605 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090199323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zakarian; Gina P. |
August 13, 2009 |
Securing device
Abstract
A securing device for a body having an appendage, the securing
device having an article of clothing adapted to be received on a
portion of the body; and a control member borne by the article of
clothing operable to capture the appendage to retain the appendage
substantially in a predetermined position relative to the body.
Inventors: |
Zakarian; Gina P.;
(Kingsburg, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK D MILLER;KIMBLE, MACMICHAEL & UPTON
5260 NORTH PALM AVENUE, SUITE 221
FRESNO
CA
93704
US
|
Family ID: |
40937605 |
Appl. No.: |
12/069987 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/209.14 ;
132/273; 2/209.3; 2/209.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 8/40 20130101; A42B
1/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/209.14 ;
2/209.7; 2/209.3; 132/273 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20060101
A42B001/24; A42C 5/00 20060101 A42C005/00; A45D 8/00 20060101
A45D008/00 |
Claims
1. A securing device for a body having an appendage, the securing
device comprising an article of clothing adapted to be received on
a portion of the body; and at least one control means borne by the
article of clothing operable to capture said appendage so as to
retain the appendage substantially in a predetermined position
relative to the body.
2. The securing device of claim 1 wherein said control means is
mounted on the article of clothing in a position such that when the
article of clothing is received on said portion of the body, and
the control means is disposed in juxtaposition to said
appendage.
3. The securing device of claim 2 in which said body is a human
body and the appendage is hair growing therefrom and wherein the
control means has an aperture through which said appendage can be
extended to capture the appendage.
4. The securing device of claim 3 wherein said control means has an
elastic member bounding said aperture and operable to be expanded
to insert the appendage through the aperture and to be released to
capture the appendage within said aperture.
5. The securing device of claim 4 wherein the article of clothing
is headwear, the appendage is hair borne by the body and the
elastic member bounding the aperture is dimensioned to permit said
hair to be extended through the aperture to capture said hair.
6. The securing device of claim 5 in which the body has a head
bearing the hair, the headwear is dimensioned to be received on the
head in covering relation to the hair and wherein said headwear has
a predetermined rearward portion and the elastic member bounding
the aperture is mounted on said rearward portion of the
headwear.
7. The securing device of claim 6 in which said headwear is adapted
to be worn in a normal position on the head of the body and wherein
the elastic member bounding the aperture is disposed in
juxtaposition to said hair when the headwear is worn in the normal
position.
8. The securing device of claim 7 wherein the elastic member is a
sleeve mounted on the headwear and housing a plurality of elastic
elements extending through the sleeve about the aperture and
operable to permit the sleeve to assume a contracted condition and
to be expansible from the contracted condition to define an
aperture of a larger dimension permitting the hair to be passed
therethrough to a desired position and to be released to return to
said contracted condition capturing the hair in said desired
position extending through the aperture.
9. The securing device of claim 8 wherein the headwear is a woven
cap mounting said sleeve of the elastic member in a predetermined
position thereon bounding the aperture.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] (1) Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a securing device and, more
particularly, to a securing device which can be used in conjunction
with an article of clothing, such as headwear or the like, for a
variety of purposes.
[0005] (2) Description of the Prior Art
[0006] It is known to use a multiplicity of types of clothing and
other articles for a variety of different purposes in addition
simply to clothing the body. Thus, for example, shirts, pants,
shoes, other outer garments and headwear are frequently designed to
meet the needs of a number of different specific activities. These
activities may include, for example, sports competition, running,
bicycle riding, skiing, and hiking, just to name a few. In most of
these activities, the specific design of the clothing is intended
to achieve a number of objectives, such as safety, freedom of
movement, control of body temperature, minimization of wind
resistance, fashion and the like.
[0007] With respect to headwear and the like, the plurality of
objectives may include warmth, ventilation, minimization of wind
resistance, protection from the sun's rays, management of the hair,
comfort and style. It is known to use headwear, such as caps, to
meet many or all of these objectives. For example, caps and other
types of headwear are manufactured with a rear band which can be
lengthened or shortened to accommodate variations in head size so
that the cap can be worn by a greater number of people. The cap is
often manufactured with a relatively large opening above the band
to permit gathering or releasing of the material of the cap in the
lengthening or shortening of the band. This opening in the rear of
the cap has been used for other purposes, such as hair management.
Baseball caps are frequently used for this purpose. The hair is
pulled back and extended through the opening to form, for example,
a ponytail which hangs from the opening in the back of the head and
cap. This is intended to keep the hair out of the person's eyes or
from interference with normal daily activities as well as during
more strenuous activities such as those heretofore noted. In other
instances, the motivation is simply general personal appearance,
style and fashion. There are other types of headwear which employ
the same large opening at the rear thereof for the same or similar
purposes.
[0008] Where caps and other headwear are used in this manner,
management of the hair is less than satisfactory. This is
principally because these openings were never manufactured for this
usage. The opening is typically too large to act in the manner
desired. Consequently, the hair tends to slide forwardly back
through the opening since this opening in the headwear does not
constrain the hair. As a result, the hair gradually falls from the
cap, particularly during strenuous activity and over an extended
period of time. Further, the hair can become entangled in the band
beneath the opening and the portions thereof which are fastened
together to permit the cap to be so adjusted. Similarly, the
fasteners employed for this purpose can readily ensnare the hair
causing discomfort and interference with removal of the cap. Thus,
headwear used in this manner are entirely unsatisfactory.
[0009] Therefore, it has been known that it would be desirable to
have a device which can be employed to manage work materials such
as hair and the like; which can dependably be used to capture loose
materials, such as hair, so as to keep it from interfering with
various activities; which has particular utility when used in the
constraint of the hair during strenuous activities; which can be
used to advantage particularly where movement would otherwise cause
the hair to flail about in an unmanageable manner during a variety
of activities, including normal daily activities as well as
activities requiring more substantial exertion such as sports
activities; which enhances personal appearance, style and fashion;
which can be used by people having otherwise unmanageable hair,
whether female or male; and which is entirely successful in
achieving its operational objectives.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved securing device having particular utility in
management of work materials.
[0011] Another object is to provide such a securing device which
possesses a unique character particularly when used in conjunction
with clothing.
[0012] Another object is to provide such a securing device which
can be worn by a person for the management of the person's
hair.
[0013] Another object is to provide such a securing device which
can be worn on the head readily to control the hair during normal
daily activities.
[0014] Another object is to provide such a securing device which
has application for use by females as well as males, particularly
although not necessarily, during such strenuous activities such as
sports competition, running, bicycle riding, skiing, hiking and the
like.
[0015] Another object is to provide such a securing device which is
employed as an integral part of clothing including caps, hats,
beanies, sock caps, berets and other forms of headwear.
[0016] Another object is to provide such a securing device which
performs a constraining function without detracting from personal
appearance.
[0017] Another object is to provide such a securing device which
can be used to improve and maintain a style, fashion and general
personal appearance.
[0018] Another object is to provide such a securing device which is
readily adaptable to a wide variety of headwear and styles
thereof.
[0019] Further objects and advantages are to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in a device for the purpose
described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully
effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
[0020] These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a securing device
for a body having an appendage, the securing device including an
article of clothing adapted to be received on a portion of the body
and a control member borne by the article of clothing operable
dependably to capture the appendage so as to retain the appendage
substantially in a predetermined position relative to the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view of a person
wearing the securing device of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevation of the head of a
person wearing the securing device of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the securing device of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged, fragmentary section taken on
line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring more particularly to the drawings, the securing
device of the present invention in generally indicated by the
numeral 10 in FIG. 1.
[0026] The securing device 10 can generally be referred to as
having an article of clothing or headwear 20 and at least one (1)
control means or control member 21. It will be understood that, for
illustrative convenience, only one (1) such control member is shown
and described herein. If desired, however, the headwear 20 can be
manufactured or otherwise constructed with two (2) or more control
members 20 in other locations on the headwear. Thus, for example,
the headwear can be manufactured with two (2) such control members
on opposite sides of the headwear for the extension individually of
hair therethrough to form pigtails.
[0027] The headwear 20 is shown in the drawings, for illustrative
convenience, as a sock cap or beanie. It will be apparent that
virtually any type of headwear can be employed in the subject
invention, although the headwear shown and described herein is
particularly well suited to the purpose. The headwear has a wall 29
which, in the illustrative embodiment, is of a size adapted to
conform to and fit the head of the person wearing the headwear. The
wall is, in the illustrative embodiment, of knitted or woven
construction and is expandable to some extent from the size shown
in FIG. 3 so as to assist in putting it on and taking it off. As
shown in the drawings, when worn, the wall has a generally
hemispherical configuration.
[0028] The wall 29 of the headwear 20 has a generally circular
lower perimeter 30 which houses a circular band 31. In the
preferred embodiment, the band is elastic so as to conform to and
retain it on the head of the person wearing the headwear and to be
expandable therefrom to aid in putting it on and taking it off. The
wall extends from the lower perimeter to an apex 32. The wall has a
forward portion 33 and an opposite rearward portion 34. The wall
has opposite side portions 35. The wall has an interior surface 40
and an exterior surface 41.
[0029] The control member 21 has a generally circular ring member
50 defining and bounding an aperture 51. The ring member, in the
preferred embodiment, is mounted on the wall 29 of the headwear by
being woven into the knitted construction of the wall. The ring
member is mounted on the rearward portion 34 of the wall
approximately half way between the lower perimeter 30 and the apex
32.
[0030] The ring member 50 is substantially circular and has a
contracted configuration, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which it
elastically assumes when not otherwise expanded therefrom. The ring
member has an expanded configuration toward which the ring member
can elastically be moved. The aperture 51 is smallest in diameter
when the ring member is in the contracted configuration and is
largest in diameter in the expanded configuration. The actual sizes
of the ring member in the contracted and expanded configurations
and thereby the size range of the aperture defined thereby can be
that which is most suitable to the particular operative environment
within which the securing device 10 is to be used.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the ring member 50 has an outer sleeve
52. The sleeve has a tubular wall 53 which defines a tubular
internal passage 54. A plurality of elastic strands or band members
55 extend through the tubular internal passage of the sleeve
entirely thereabout thereby elastically retaining the sleeve and
thereby the ring member in the contracted configuration while
permitting elastic expansion thereof to the expanded configuration.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the ring member is in the contracted
configuration, the sleeve thereof is bunched, or partially
collapsed, forming a plurality of annular rings 56 therein
permitting expansion of the sleeve between the contracted
configuration and the expanded configuration.
[0032] For illustrative convenience, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a
person wearing the headwear 20 is generally indicated by the
numeral 70 and having a head generally indicated by the numeral 71.
For reference purposes, the person's face is indicated at 72 and
the back of the person's head at 73. The person has hair 74 growing
from the head. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the person has the hair
extending through the aperture 51 of the ring member 50 and
gathered thereby, as will hereinafter be described, to form a
ponytail 75.
OPERATION
[0033] The operation of the described embodiment of the subject
invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly
summarized at this point.
[0034] The person 70 places the securing device 10 and the headwear
20 thereof generally over or on the person's head 71, as
hereinafter described. The person elastically expands the ring
member to expand the aperture thereof. The person gathers the hair
74 and extends it at least part way through the aperture 51 of the
ring member 50. The headwear is then placed on the head and pulled
downwardly over the head to the general position shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. In this position the ring member, with the hair extending
through the aperture thereof, is positioned in overlaying relation
to the remainder of the hair on the back 73 of the person's head.
Subsequently, the hair is pulled the remainder of the way through
the aperture so that the hair under the headwear is pulled as tight
as the person chooses. The ring member is then released and
elastically returns to the contracted configuration. The hair
externally of the headwear is then arranged to form the desired
style, such as the ponytail 75.
[0035] During the foregoing process, the ring member 50 of the
control member 21 is elastically retained by the elastic band
members 55 in contracted relation about the hair 74 extending
through the aperture 51. This relationship of the ring member to
the hair extending through the aperture is maintained by the
elastic band members to capture the hair extending therethrough.
The hair can consequently be held by the ring member in any
position extending therethrough even if the hair is not pulled
tight. This capability permits the hair to be placed under any
degree of tension where that the person wishes, or a different hair
style other than the ponytail.
[0036] The hair 74 of the person 70 is thus dependably held in the
selected position during wearing of the headwear 20 until it is
desired to remove the headwear. The securing device 10 thus retains
the hair in the selected position for as long as the person
desires. This is the case during all activities no matter how
strenuous those activities may be. The hair is thus managed during
the activities so that, for example, the hair dos not fall over the
person's face 72, or become entangled in equipment, or otherwise
interfere with those activities. Simultaneously, the hair is
retained in the selected style enhancing personal appearance, style
and fashion.
[0037] The device of the present invention is therefor particularly
well suited to manage work materials such as hair and the like; can
dependably be used to capture loose materials, such as hair, so as
to keep the materials from interfering with various activities; has
particular utility when used in the constraint of the hair during
strenuous activities; can be used to advantage particularly where
movement would otherwise cause the hair to flail about in an
unmanageable manner during a variety of activities including normal
daily activities as well as activities requiring more substantial
exertion such as sports activities; enhances personal appearance,
and achieves a style and fashion such as may be desired; can be
used by people having otherwise unmanageable hair, whether female
or male; and is entirely successful in achieving its operational
objectives.
[0038] Although the invention has been herein shown and described
in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom
within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the
illustrative details disclosed.
* * * * *